New Delhi, 03rd August: A high-level delegation comprising of Members of Parliament from West Bengal, under the leadership of BJP state President Dilip Ghosh met the Union Health Minister Mansukh L. Mandaviya and Union Minister for Human Resources Development Dharmendra Pradhan to highlight vaccination discrepancy in West Bengal.
Speaking in this context, Darjeeling MP Raju Bista in his statement maintained that the delegation informed the Ministers how the West Bengal government has practised discrimination in the distribution of vaccines and how the ruling TMC government is keeping the common citizens deprived while giving preferential vaccination for TMC cadres and supporters only.
According to Bista, the Union Health Minister and Union Minister for Human Resources Development stated that so far the Union government has supplied 3.14 crore doses of free vaccination to the West Bengal government, out of which only 2.8 crores have been utilized. Furthermore, 3.02 crore vaccinations have been used so far in West Bengal (including by private hospitals). Among the total population, 29% of the people have been vaccinated with 1st dose and 12% of citizens have been vaccinated with both the doses in the state, and as of today, West Bengal has an additional stock of 30 Lakh vaccines.
“Vaccination is the right of every citizen of our nation and the Union Government has committed to providing free vaccine for all. However, bias and discrimination by the WB Govt has caused widespread vaccine discrepancy in the state. To ensure that all the citizens are vaccinated, we have requested the Union Government to provide additional vaccination through clinics situated with the Central Government agencies – such as Railways, Defence establishments, Paramilitary forces etc – so that we can reach vaccination to every citizen of the state,” Bista further added.
MP Bista also informed the Ministers that in Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars region very less vaccination has been supplied till date, because of which people, especially those from the rural regions like the tea gardens and cinchona gardens are struggling to get vaccinated. He also mentioned the numerous complaints he received about the denial of vaccination to the people, even after their having proper vaccination appointments, and that they are being forced to travel long distances for getting vaccinated.
The MP stated that the Ministers have assured that they will take up the delegation’s request and ensure that necessary action will be taken to provide vaccination for all without any bias or discrimination.