Nawab Malik questions French embassy's procurement of Moderna vaccine
What's the story
Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik on Thursday claimed that India's French embassy has procured Moderna anti-coronavirus vaccine and it is being administered to its nationals at Navi Mumbai even as only three other vaccines are permitted in India. The Minister sought to know from the Centre how a "non-permitted" vaccine was being administered to France residents and their relatives living in Mumbai.
Quote
Covishield, COVAXIN, and Sputnik V are permitted in India: Malik
Malik, who is NCP's national spokesperson, also asked why the Centre cannot procure the vaccine for the people of India if the French Embassy can. "Covishield, COVAXIN, and Sputnik V are the three vaccines that have been permitted in India by our government," Malik tweeted.
Twitter Post
Here is what Malik tweeted
Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik V are the 3 Vaccines that are permitted in India by our government.
— Nawab Malik نواب ملک नवाब मलिक (@nawabmalikncp) May 13, 2021
According to information received by me, the French Embassy in India has procured the vaccine @moderna_tx and is inoculating their citizens and their relatives at Navi Mumbai (1/2)
Vaccines
Government and Health minister must clarify: Malik
"Question arises, how can a non-permitted vaccine be allowed to be administered? If they can get it, why can't the Indian government get it for our citizens too? The government and the Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan must clarify," the Minority Affairs Minister added. NCP along with the Shiv Sena and Congress is a part of the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in Maharashtra.
Criticism
Every embassy has made its own provisions: BJP leader
The MVA has been critical of the BJP-led central government over the alleged shortage of vaccines required to inoculate the people of the state. Responding to Malik's claim, BJP leader Pravin Darekar said, "There are no exact details available about his allegations. As per my information, every embassy has made provisions of COVID-19 vaccines for its own staff working here."
Maharashtra government
Maharashtra government wasting time in pointing fingers at non-issues: Darekar
"However, the Maharashtra government is not taking care of its own people in the state, but wasting time in pointing fingers at such non-issues," the BJP leader further added in response to Malik's claim. "It shows the kind of sensitivity this government has toward its people," the Leader of Opposition in the state Legislative Council said.
Statistics
Maharashtra reported 46,781 fresh cases, 816 more deaths on Wednesday
Meanwhile, Maharashtra on Wednesday reported as many as 46,781 new COVID-19 cases and 816 deaths pushing the total number of cases to 52,26,710 and the death toll to 78,007. Currently, the active number of cases in the state is 5,46,129. Mumbai on Wednesday reported 2,116 new COVID-19 infections taking the total number of cases to 6,82,102.