Thread by @satejp

Do you remember paying even a penny for the Polio vaccine?

Do you remember @nsitharaman Ji had kept 35000 Cr for vaccination in India and committed to more funding if required? #FreeVaccineforAll 1/n

As per the latest data, we still need 120 Cr Jabs for the 60 Cr eligible population for vaccination. Which should cost not more than 24,000 Cr as per the current rates given to govt by Manufacturers. 2/n

It means that the central Govt should be able to pay for all the jabs required in the future by the funding earmarked for the same. If that's the case? Why they are running away from their responsibility and putting the onus on State Governments and the private sector? 3/n

Should states compete with each other to procure vaccines? Who should get the priority? Does the center want inter-state relations to get bitter? Does BJP ruled states want to use it to lure people as they did in Bihar, Bengal, etc. 4/n

Everybody is aware that all states are having fewer reserves in their kitty as the center has not given their GST dues to the full extent. It's like you should buy on my behalf, but I won't pay for it. How it will work? 5/n

Entry to the private sector is fine in theory, but it was required way back in January when India needed maximum vaccines and all foreign players would have been roped in. 6/n

Now, we are already late in the race against the virus and we are forcing people to pay for vaccines when govt has enough money for the same. 7/n

Govt has just transferred thousands of crore to vaccine manufacturers and the majority of international philanthropic agencies, govt, international forums have put in money for vaccine development. 8/n

If there was so much funding from states across the globe, how much profit should these manufacturers make? 9/n

There is a difference between profit and profiteering, is Govt allowing profiteering? People are in bad economic conditions due to draconian decisions of center, pandemic, and minimal help given by Govt post first wave 10/n

Hence, I urge the Central Government to spend the allocated money on vaccines and provide #FreeVaccineforAll. That's the only way forward n/n