PunjabChief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday trashed the Bharatiya JanataParty’s allegation of Congress-ruled states rejecting Covaxin as a complete lieand part of the ruling party’s false and politically motivated propaganda.
TheChief Minister was responding to a question during an informal mediainteraction after taking the first shot of the Covid Vaccine at Civil HospitalMohali. When asked how he was feeling after the Covid jab, the minister said hewas in `Chardi Kalan’ and was feeling absolutely fine. The dose wasadministered to him by ANM (Auxilary Nurse and Midwife) Manpreet.
Categoricallydenying the charge on Covaxin, the Chief Minister slammed BJP spokespersonSambit Patra’s claim that Punjab, along with other Opposition-ruled states, hadexpressed doubts and refused to accept the vaccination. It was not at all true, he added.
Anofficial of the Punjab Health Ministry later disclosed that the state hadreceived 1.34 lakh Covaxin doses, of which 2500 had already been administered.
TheChief Minister, in response to another question on slow pace of vaccination inthe state, said the Media was contributing to scaring the people. He urged theMedia to spread awareness about the importance and efficacy about the vaccines.
Admittingthat cases of Covid in Punjab were on the rise, having crossed 1000 after morethan a month, Captain Amarinder said it was a matter of concern. His governmentwas keeping a close watch on the situation, he said, blaming the casual andcarefree attitude of Punjabis for the resurgence in cases. He appealed to thepeople to strictly adhere to all Covid safety norms, including wearing of masksand social distancing, and not let their guard down, as the Coronavirus had notgone yet.