COVID-19: Maharashtra govt not unanimous about free vaccination, says Fadnavis

Amidst the devastating second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, India reported 3.52 lakh fresh coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours. This is the highest single-day spike registered since the onset of the pandemic. A total of 3,52,991 new COVID-19 cases, 2,812 related deaths and 2,19,272 recoveries were reported in the last 24 hours, taking the total active cases to 28,13,658, as per the health ministry update on Monday morning.

India's healthcare infrastructure is reeling under the pressure of the rapidly rising coronavirus cases. The number of covid cases in the country is increasing rapidly. The increasing cases have put tremendous pressure on the health system.

The Centre on April 19 had announced a ''liberalised'' policy, making all above 18 years of age eligible to get vaccinated from May 1. Maharashtra government will vaccinate all its citizens free of cost against coronavirus, state Minister Nawab Malik said

Now the state politics is slowly heating up over the free of cost vaccination drive. BJP's Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Devendra Fadnavis has targeted the Maha Vikas Aghadi government.

The Prime Minister has clarified the role of free vaccination. However, various statements are being made by the ministers, said Fadnavis.I have no idea what the policy is, why tweets are made, why they are deleted, I will not speak. However, there is no unanimity in the Mahavikas Aghadi regarding vaccination, drive said Devendra Fadnavis. Fadnavis was speaking at the inauguration of Covid Care Centre in Andheri, Mumbai.

Prime Minister Modi has clarified in Mann Ki Baat. The central government will provide free vaccines to every eligible person. So it is not a burden on the states. The central government has made arrangements for every Indian and the vaccine will be made available from there. The Prime Minister has clarified the role, said Devendra Fadnavis while speaking on the occasion.

Mahavikas Aghadi should maintain unity. I would like to tell those who are talking nonsense, who are constantly talking to the central government, that Maharashtra has been given double the quota of oxygen than other states. Other supplies are being delivered to Maharashtra through the Indian Air Force. My request to the protesters is that the people are suffering, the central government is helping on this occasion. The Central government is trying its best, aid the BJP leader. 

Meanwhile, ministers are divided over whether to give free corona vaccine to the state. There is a consensus among the ministers that the poor should be vaccinated free of cost. However, some ministers have suggested that those who can afford the vaccine should buy it. Moreover, NCP leader Nawab Malik said that the state government was positive for free vaccination. Shiv Sena leader Aditya Thackeray had announced that all citizens of the state would be given free vaccines. However, Aditya Thackeray later deleted the tweet of free vaccination.