Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers DV Sadananda Gowda on Thursday asked whether those in the government must hang themselves if they are not able to produce enough vaccines against coronavirus.
Gowda was addressing a press conference in Benglauru when he was asked about how courts in different parts of the country have been pointing out towards severe shortage of resources, including medical oxygen, medicines like Remedisivir and vaccines. "The court has with good intention said everyone in the country should get vaccinated. I want to ask you, if the court says tomorrow that you have to give this much (of vaccine), if it has not been produced yet, should we hang ourselves?" Gowda told reporters here.
When asked if opening the vaccination drive for all adults from May 1 was more about creating a perception, Gowda stressed on the plan of action of the government and said its decisions are not guided by any political gain or by any other reason. Gowda said the government has been doing its job sincerely and honestly during which time some shortcomings have surfaced.
Gowda’s ministerial portfolio includes administration over the pharma sector. His comments came barely a week after the Karnataka High Court mandated the central government to ensure 1,200 MT of liquid medical oxygen to meet the needs of patients suffering from COVID-19 in the state. The order was raised in the Supreme Court by the Centre, but got dismissed. The apex court asked the Union government to comply with the order.
BJP national general secretary CT RAvi, who was also present at the press conference, likened vaccination drive to pendency in court hearings. “Judges are not ‘sarvagna’ (meaning all-knowing in Kannada. It is also the name of a 16th Century Kannada poet-monk). Whatever is available with us, based on that the technical advisory committee will recommend how much (vaccine) has to be distributed. Based on their report, we will take a decision."
“Everyone is not aware of all facts. There are some days when a court may have 50 cases for disposal, but only manages to dispose of 30 of them. The parties/litigants in other cases will have to go home, wont’ they? The issue of vaccines are also like this. Maybe the courts must only decide how we must administer the vaccines,” he told reporters.
Karnataka has suspended vaccination drive for the 18-44 age group from Friday due to shortage of stock as all existing doses will be required for 45+ years category awaiting their second jab. The government has decided to float a global tender to procure more vaccines.
According to the Karnataka government officials, the state has placed an order of three crore vaccines and the money has already been paid to the two vaccine manufacturers.
However, only seven lakh doses have arrived in the state. The panicked citizens have been queuing up before the vaccination centres in the State for inoculation only to be turned down.
(With PTI inputs)
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