Amid a massive surge in the Covid-19 cases in the country once again, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Monday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighting certain issues and suggested some points to take into consideration to curb the spread of virus.
The ruling BJP, however, accused the grand old party for “lobbying” for a particular pharmaceutical company.
Sonia, in her letter which comes after her virtual meeting with the Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled States, underlined three issues for PM’s consideration and appropriate action.
“I have had a detailed interaction with the Chief Ministers of States ruled by the Congress Party and Ministers from States where the Congress is in alliance Governments, to take stock of the most disturbing Covid-19 situation,” Sonia said in her letter.
Speaking on vaccinations, she said, “Vaccines are our foremost hope. Sadly, most of the states, are left with a stock of just 3 to 5 days. While it will be necessary on one hand to substantially ramp up our domestic production capacity. It will also be prudent to allow emergency use authorities of all the vaccine candidates that have the required clearances without any further delay.”
BJP’s national general secretary BL Santosh countered the calls for approval to all vaccines and said, “Sputnik V had been approved for emergency use in India after bridge study by Dr Reddy’s. All who are advocating approval to Pfizer without bridge studies in India as part of a lobby should understand that Indian lives also matter and you cannot bully the Narendra Modi Government.”
Sonia in her letter to PM also sought expansion of vaccination based on need and exposure rather than age and GST exemption for life-saving drugs and equipment.
“The numbers allocated to a state has to be based on the prevalence and projection of infection in that particular state. All instruments, medicines and infrastructure required to deal with COVID 19 should be made completely exempt from GST. Even ventilators, oximeters and oxygen cylinders presently attract GST as do key life-saving drugs like Remdesivir and Dexamethazone,” the Congress chief mentioned said.
Sonia also batted for a minimum income guarantee scheme saying as states imposed curfews, economic activity would be hit hard impacting the poor and daily wagers the most.
“I appeal to you to put into place the much-needed scheme of minimum monthly guaranteed income in place and transfer an amount of Rs 6.000 in every eligible citizen’s account,” she said.
Earlier in the day former party chief Rahul Gandhi led the party’s “Speak up for vaccines” social media campaign asking the PM to “stop events, stop exports of vaccines and give vaccines to everyone in need.” He also said the PM had said COVID would be controlled in 18 days. “It has been 385 days,” he said.