Categorically rejecting the Opposition’s allegations onsupply of vaccines to some private hospitals and procurement of Fateh Kits as“politically motivated”, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh onTuesday said there was no question of the state government making profits amidthe pandemic, which it was battling hard to save lives.
Lashing out at the Akalis and AAP for spreadingmisinformation to further their political ambitions and weakening the state’swar against Covid by raising non-issues, the Chief Minister charged the twoparties with making motivated hue and cry to push their electoral agendas withan eye on the 2022 Assembly elections.
Asserting that the state government had not indulged inany wrongdoing, the Chief Minister said quick and unusual decisions have to betaken in an emergency war-like situation. All protocols were strictly followedand emergency ruled were invoked to meet the crisis, he added. All decisionswere taken in the interest of the people of the state, and all due procedureswere followed, he said, terming media reports on alleged scams as nothing butsensationalism.
Captain Amarinder said he was with his officials 100% onthese issues, adding that all the right steps were taken and no amount of Oppositionhullaballoo can undermine the true intent of his government, which was focusedon protecting the lives of the people. The state’s doctors and bureaucrats hadbeen doing an excellent job in fighting the war with their backs against thewall, he said, declaring that Punjab would beat the virus.
The Chief Minister took serious note of the large-scalegatherings being organized by Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) against the stategovernment in brazen violation of the Covid safety protocols and the curbs inplace. In their desperation for power, Sukhbir Badal and his party colleagueswere endangering the lives of the people through such gatherings, he added.
Also Read: Punjab CM asks expert panel to study effectiveness of vaccines in context of new Covid variant
Sukhbir & Co. saw scams everywhere because their owngovernment had been seeped in all kinds of scams and had pocketed crores ofrupees at the cost of the people’s hard-earned money said the Chief Minister,dismissing all allegations as nonsensical and baseless.
The 40000-odd doses made available to some privatehospitals was a one-time measure as a step to provide some vaccination optionsto non-priority groups in the 18-45 category, said Captain Amarinder. The hospitalswere provided the vaccines at the price at which they were to buy from themanufacturers, he pointed out, adding that the decision was taken as there wereinitially, only two private hospitals in Punjab had managed to procure thevaccine from the 25% quota reserved by the Central Government. Students andothers traveling abroad needed vaccine urgently and were willing to pay, sothe state government had decided to make it available to private hospitals asan emergency measure, he said.
However, since the decision of the Government was notbeing taken in the right spirit, it was withdrawn, but there was no question ofany irregularity as the entire money went into the Health Department’svaccination fund and was to be used to buy vaccines given free by the state, headded.
On the issue of Fateh Kits, the Chief Minister said it was creditablethat the Health Department, which had been working day and night to provide thebest possible care to the people had ensured timely supplies were ensured evenat the peak of the wave. Pulse oxymeters were made available in these kits eventhough there was a shortage as there was no supply from the internationalmarkets, he said, adding Punjab in fact managed to purchase these at a lowerprice than many other states.
“My Government has always prioritized human lives andplaying politics and spreading misinformation in times of a pandemic is extremelyunfortunate and ill-conceived,” said Captain Amarinder.
The state government has currently distributed 7475 FatehKits, covering 80.92% of the currently active cases in home isolation.
Also Read: Punjab unlock: CM Capt Amarinder announces opening of restaurants, cinemas, gyms at 50% capacity
Health Secretary Hussan Lal later said of the 42,000vaccines given to private hospitals, only 1300 were used and the remaining hadalready been returned to the state government. The government was asking theCentre to give the unallocated quota of the private hospitals to the state,following the revised vaccination policy, as per which the Government of Indiawill procure 75% of Vaccine manufactured. Under the revised policy, GoI willprovide vaccine to states and UTs for vaccination of 18 Plus age group fromJune 21, and the same will be given to the people free of cost. Manufacturershave been requested to supply State procured vaccines before June 21.