As India crossed the 100-million mark in vaccine dose administration, Opposition-ruled Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Delhi flagged jab shortage, saying existing stocks would last only for a few days.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi accused the Centre of mismanaging the jab supply by exporting large consignments, leading to domestic shortage. Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh said the state was left with five days of supply (5.7 lakh doses) if it inoculated up to 90,000 people a day or three days if the target of 2 lakh shots a day was achieved. Speaking at a virtual Covid review meet, Sonia held with the CMs of Congress-ruled states today, Capt Amarinder said the vaccine drive in Punjab had suffered due to people’s anger towards the Centre over farm laws.
Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel said the vaccine stock would last three days, while Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot said the stocks would exhaust in 48 hours. Maharashtra minister Balasaheb Thorat said the state (which accounts for 40 per cent of the daily cases) could inoculate 5 lakh people daily if the Centre gave enough doses. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said they had vaccine for a week. Denying any shortage, the Centre said it was in talks with SII and Bharat Biotech to augment the supply.