Convene all-party meeting, use budget allocation for free mass vaccination, LoP Kharge tells PM Modi | India News

NEW DELHI: Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, on Sunday, wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking an all-party meeting for a “collective and consensual” approach to tackling the coronavirus pandemic.
Writing to the PM with six suggestions on ways to overcome the Covidcrisis, the leader of opposition echoed the views of party president Sonia Gandhi, former PM Manmohan Singh and MP Rahul Gandhi who have each written similar letters to the government in the last weeks and months, Kharge emphasised the need for an all-party meeting.
He also said that while most nations had planned in advance, prioritised their people and put in place contingencies for the anticipated second and third waves of the pandemic, such plans appeared to be missing in the Indian context.
“Experts have warned us that although the situation is dire, it can become far worse if leadership is not immediately exercised. So, for the well-being of our people and in the national interest, I urge you to consider the suggestions outlined in this letter sensitively and urgently,” Kharge said.
Among key suggestions, Kharge said the government must use the Rs 35,000 crore amount allocated in the Union Budget for free mass vaccination, adding that allowing private companies to set exorbitant and differential prices for vaccines will adversely impact millions of Indians.
“Sir, corporate profit cannot triumph saving lives. I, therefore, urge you to not relinquish the State’s moral duty in immunising citizens. This is completely doable because India has a history of successful, large-scale immunisation programmes,” he said.
Kharge also reiterated the Congress’ demand to leverage compulsory licensing to increase the production of vaccines, waiver of GST on vaccines PPE kits, ambulances, ventilators, oxygen equipment and sanitisers.
The Congress MP said the government should also expedite distribution of relief material received from foreign countries with transparency on where it is shipped to, and to mitigate employment issued in rural areas where migrant workers have returned in large numbers, expand the man days under MGNREGS to ensure 200 days from the existing 100 days.