Punjab cancels sale of vaccines to private hospitals

The Punjab government withdrew an order providing "one-time limited vaccine doses to 18-44 age group population through private hospitals", A letter - signed by Vikas Garg, the state-in-charge for COVID-19 vaccination - said the order "has not been taken in the right spirit and is hereby withdrawn". "Further, it has been decided that the private hospitals should return forthwith all the vaccine doses available with them. The doses which they have utilised as of date should also be returned, once they get supplies from the manufacturers," the order added.The order also said the money deposited by the hospitals in the Vaccine Fund will be refunded.

Earlier, the Akali Dal accused the state of "diverting" Covaxin doses at "hefty margins." Badal said the doses had been purchased at Rs 400 per dose and sold to private hospitals for Rs 1,060 per dose. The hospitals then administered it to eligible beneficiaries at Rs 1,560 per dose. He slammed the actions of an "immoral" Congress government, calling for a High Court-monitored probe.

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. 4/4 pic.twitter.com/XJ3ZtFneHu

— Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) June 3, 2021

The BJP has also hit out the Amrinder Singh government. Junior Finance Minister Anurag Thakur also slammed the Punjab government on the issue.