BJP, Congress spar over private hospitals’ right to sell vaccines

Soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday announced that private sector will have access to 25% of coronavirus vaccines, the Congress party has been questioning the rationale behind the policy. It all began with former Congress President Rahul Gandhi saying that he has got a simple question. “If vaccines are free for all, why should private hospitals charge for them?” the PM aspirant provocatively asked. 

The BJP has got busy defending the Centre’s policy. Reacting to RaGa’s question, Assam chief minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote that every Indian above the age of 18 will be given free vaccine by the Centre and that those who want to pay can opt for a private hospital. Pro-BJP social media influencer Ajit Datta asked, “Sir, if public transport exists, why are companies allowed to sell cars and bikes?”

BJP National General Secretary Bhupender Yadav trolled the Congress leader and wrote, “Next Rahul Gandhi will ask if all train coaches reach the station together, why does the Modi government charge passengers differently? Someone in Congress should help Rahul ji with questions also.”

However, Congress leaders are hoping that RaGa has raised a valid point and that, eventually, the Modi government will roll back the current vaccination policy that lets private hospitals to sell vaccines. 

Meanwhile, Priyanka Gandhi’s husband Robert Vadra, too, has raised questions. “If you are saying that there are free vaccines available, why are you allowing private hospitals to charge a certain amount?” he asked.