Union Minister Pratap Sarangi on Sunday said that every citizen of the country will be given a free COVID vaccine. This statement comes amidst the uproar and demand by opposition parties in the country for making vaccines free for all and not only in poll-bound Bihar as announced by the BJP in its manifesto.
The BJP announcement of free COVID vaccine for Bihar, where assembly polls begin this week, has not gone well with the opposition parties. The NDA government is being criticised for using the pandemic for political reasons.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said the announcement was in order as it was an election manifesto announcement.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that all people will be provided free of cost vaccines. An estimated Rs 500 odd will be spent on vaccination of each person,” said Union Minister Sarangi while he was addressing a campaign meeting for the November 3 assembly by-poll in Balasore.
PM Modi had in a televised address to the nation on October 20 said that Indian scientists are in the process of developing several vaccines that are at different stages of clinical trials and the results seem encouraging.
Mr Sarangi, the union minister of state for animal husbandry, dairy, fisheries and micro, small and medium enterprises spoke in reply to a question raised by Odisha Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister, RP Swain.
The governments of Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Assam and Puduchchery have already announced free of cost COVID vaccines for the people of their states.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has also demanded free vaccines for all citizens across the country.
Mr Swain had asked for a clarification from Dharmendra Pradhan and Sarangi, the two union ministers representing Odisha questioning them for their silence and their party BJP's promise on free COVID-19 vaccination for the people of Bihar and if something similar will be promised for their state.
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Mr Swain had tweeted "I am asking questions to two Odisha union ministers from Balasore soil to clarify as to why the people of the state will not get free of cost COVID vaccine. The union ministers should clarify BJPs stand on the corona vaccination in Odisha."
Mr RP Swain said the Odisha government has signed a deal with a vaccine manufacturer and is committed to delivering the vaccine to all the people of the state. However, he did not mention whether people will get the vaccine free of cost.