Former Union Minister Anand Sharma on Tuesday came out strongly against the Centre for asking States to import Covid-19 vaccines on their own.
“In a global crisis, how can the States be asked to import vaccines? Import-Exports, Customs and Trade policy are central subjects,” the former Commerce Minister said. Asking the States to import vaccines directly is not bearing fruit, he pointed out.
It is time Prime Minister Narendra Modi walks the talk on cooperative federalism, he said and called for unity between the Centre and the States in fighting the coronavirus pandemic.
His statements came against the backdrop of some Opposition-ruled states accusing the Centre of not lending a helping hand in procuring vaccines from abroad, and in the larger fight against the pandemic.
Sharma said the coronavirus has hit villages in a big way in the second wave and the people of the country are suffering and “feeling let down”. It is not only a legal and political duty, but also the moral responsibility of the Government to protect the lives of all Indians, he said.
“The path of confrontation between center and states hurts India’s national interest. PM Modi has spoken of Cooperative Federalism. It is time to walk the talk. I urge the PM to take the initiative for a dialogue with the Chief Ministers to confront this challenge. In a democracy differences in ideology will remain but these should not become personal. We must all stand united in this time of crisis,” he said in a series of tweets.
The senior Congress leader said democracy is about cooperation and dialogue and just as the Prime Minister has a mandate as the elected leader of the country, the Chief Ministers of states have a Constitutional mandate which must be recognised. India is a federal country and the spirit of the Constitution must be respected, he said.
Hitting out at the Central government, he said India’s tragedy is that a continental size country of this vastness and diversity is sought to be “micromanaged” during the unprecedented crisis of a pandemic. “Centralisation of authority and decisions in one or two offices led to disastrous mismanagement,” he alleged.
Commenting on the vaccination drive, he said it is in shambles and people are suffering because of this. “In a democracy, questions will be asked and those in authority made accountable. There is no wisdom in denials and challenging scientists and epidemiologists,” he said.
Sharma, a member of the group of 23 leaders who had demanded an organisational overhaul within the Congress, said it is unfair to pass the buck and blame the State which were left powerless as all decisions are taken by the Central Government.