Bhubaneswar: BJD leader and state Labour Minister Sushanta Singh Sunday attacked the Union government of favouring the BJP-ruled states in supply of COVID-19 vaccines and neglecting other states.
The minister in his interaction with the media claimed that these actions go against the claims of ‘Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas’ of the Union government.
“The Union government talks about ‘Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas’ but we are seeing that the BJP-ruled states are getting more assistance from the Centre when it comes to supply of COVID-19 vaccines. The duty of the ruler is to treat all equally which is not happening,” he said.
He also added, “This is happening when the COVID-19 cases in the state and the country are rising. Definitely the state is getting lesser doses than required. Everybody knows that.”
The Congress party also expressed concern over the shortage of vaccines in the state. Congress leader Suresh Routray said, “On what basis the government is planning to observe the Tika Utsav when the state is badly hit in terms of getting adequate vaccination from the Centre. Most of the vaccination centres in the state have been closed. People are returning from such centres. The Centre as well as the state government talks more but fails to deliver.”
Meanwhile the BJP said that the Union government had always given priority to the state. “Odisha has always been in priority when it comes to distribution of vaccines. Whatever demand the state government makes, it will receive the stocks accordingly. The statements made by Singh despite being a minister are not good. The Union government also gives priority to Odisha,” the party said in a statement.
PNN