Recently, addressing the nation, Narendra Modi said that a plan is being devised to ensure that the vaccine for coronavirus reaches all Indians if and when it becomes available. It came as an assurance from the Prime Minister.

A Livemint report has now said that the Centre has set aside Rs 50,000 Cr for this financial year to finance the procurement and distribution of vaccine doses. The money has been earmarked to make sure that the momentum is not lost should a safe and effective vaccine be available by December or January (which is less likely at the moment).

Recently, an estimate said that the Centre would need more than Rs 80,000 Cr to vaccinate the entire population of India. If most of the States distribute the vaccine for free, the fiscal burden on the governments will only go up. If middle-class people can be nudged to buy each shot (which might cost less than Rs 1,000), it will definitely reduce the burden on the government. Saved funds can be diverted to investment in infrastructure, etc.