Deputy leader of the Congress in the Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma on Tuesday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to convene a meeting of Chief Ministers to formulate “an effective vaccination policy” as the current one was in “shambles”.
Mr. Sharma, who recovered from COVID-19 last month, cited his own example to underscore the importance.
“Despite taking both the doses, I got COVID positive but it is the vaccine that prevented it from becoming severe,” he said while speaking with The Hindu.
“The vaccination drive is in shambles and people are suffering and despairing. In a democracy questions will be asked and those in authority made accountable. There is no wisdom in denials and challenging scientists and epidemiologists,” he stated.
‘People feeling let down’
People were “suffering and feeling let down” and it was more important to save lives rather than stand on “pride and ego”. India, which was continental in size, could not be micromanaged by centralisation of power in one or two offices without “disastrous consequences”, he said in a statement.
“Accelerated universal vaccination, devolution, empowering the States and investing in public health infrastructure alone can meet the challenge.” In a global crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic, the States could not be expected to import vaccines, he pointed out as import, exports, Customs and trade policy were all Central subjects.
‘Cooperation and dialogue’
“Democracy is about cooperation and dialogue. Prime Minister has a mandate as an elected leader of the country. So have the Chief Ministers, whose constitutional mandate must be recognised. India is a federal country and the spirit of Constitution must be respected. The path of confrontation between the Centre and the States hurts India’s national interest,” he noted.
“Prime Minister Modi has spoken of cooperative federalism. It is time to walk the talk. I urge him to take the initiative for a sincere and honest dialogue with Chief Ministers. In a democracy, differences in ideology will remain but these should not become personal. We must all stand united in this time of crisis,” he added.
