Pinarayi Vijayan Calls for United Front to Demand Free Distribution of Vaccines

Kerala Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan has written to non-BJP Chief Ministers of 11 states and called for a united front to demand that the Center procure vaccines and distribute them free of cost. Currently India is facing its worst Covid-19 crisis with vaccine policies heavily limiting the number of vaccines available to states, and also leaving the states to negotiate with manufacturers on the prices. Vijayan points out the dangers of such a policy.

P Vijayan wrote on twitter- Wrote to 11 CMs in the spirit of Cooperative Federalism. Quite unfortunate that Centre absolves itself of its duty to procure vaccines, ensure free universal vaccination. United effort to jointly pursue our genuine demand is the need of the hour, so that Centre acts immediately.”

Wrote to 11 CMs in the spirit of Cooperative Federalism. Quite unfortunate that Centre absolves itself of its duty to procure vaccines, ensure free universal vaccination. United effort to jointly pursue our genuine demand is the need of the hour, so that Centre acts immediately. pic.twitter.com/ILvEFYSpRu

— Pinarayi Vijayan (@vijayanpinarayi) May 31, 2021

Vijayan, in the letter stressed on how leaving the burden states to procure vaccines, will land the states in a dire fiscal condition. “Fiscal strength of the states is an essential part of a healthy federal set-up. If the finances of the states are hamstrung, federalism itself will be weakened, and this will not augur well for a democratic polity like ours.”

Vijayan also pointed out how the manufacturers are looking to make profits on vaccine sales by exploiting the scarce supply. He points out how the public sector pharmaceutical firms are capable of taking over vaccine production. The letter also mentioned how intellectual property rights and patent laws should not stand in the way of smooth and speedy vaccine production and distribution.