Punjab revokes order of selling COVID-19 vaccines to pvt hospitals facing scam charge

Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh-led government in Punjab buys Bharat Biotech's Covaxin for people aged 18 or more through its facilities and then sells a part of it to private hospitals at a higher rate, on the pretext of encouraging the vaccination process.

The state government buys Covaxin for Rs. 400 per dose and sells them at Rs. 1,060 per dose to the private hospitals.

The private hospitals used to charge Rs. 1,560 per dose from common people.

Thus the government makes a profit of Rs. 660 and the private hospitals Rs. 500 per dose.

Facing a "vaccine scam" charge by the Opposition, the government revoked the order calling it "illogical decision".

The government has also asked the private hospitals to return the doses.

"It has been decided that the private hospitals should return the vaccine doses available with them. The doses which they have utilized as of date should be returned, once they get direct supplies from the manufacturers. The amount deposited by the private hospitals in the vaccination fund shall be refunded,"  said Registrar Co-operative Societies-cum-State in-charge for Covid vaccination, Vikas Garg as quoted by The New Indian Express.

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal has slammed the Congress government in a tweet saying,".@RahulGandhi who has demanded free vaccines for all should tell what he has to say to a common man forced to pay Rs 6,000 to Rs 9,000 for a single vaccine dose for his family. He should tell if he supports Punjab govt decision to force ppl to get vaccine doses for Rs 1560."

He said in a separate tweet, "It is immoral for Punjab govt to profit from sale of #COVIDVaccines. People being punished during a time of economic slowdown. Cong govt has abdicated its resp towards public welfare by corporatizing vaccine distribution. The entire #COVID management exercise stands exposed."