Plea questions MP Govt's permission for private players to procure 25% vaccine

Bhopal: While hearing an Interlocutory Application challenging clause 8 of the National Vaccination Policy, the Madhya Pradesh High Court on Tuesday asked the State and Central government to give their response on the clause, reports LiveLaw. The clause, which permits the procurement of 25% vaccine from the manufacturers by the private sector without the involvement of the Centre and state, was argued by petitioner Advocate Sunil Kumar Gupta to be in violation of Articles 14 and 21 of the constitution.

"On one hand, the State and the Centre are on their kneels expressing their inability in timely procurement of vaccines, on the other hand, the private sector is having a lion's share from the manufacturer, which is bound to imbalance and disturb the whole supply chain of vaccine and procurement by the state and the Centre," the IA stated.

It further raised suspicions that if given over to the private sector, soon vaccines would be only available for those who can afford it and called for procurement of vaccines exclusively through State or Central channels with no intrusion of the private sector.

Gupta has earlier filed a petition seeking a directive to the state and central government to issue a global tender for vaccines and that the policy has stayed until the state and Centre procure 75% of vaccines. The clause is arbitrary for the absence of a check and balance system to ensure compliance, Gupta urged.

"This is bound to affect those who cannot pay large amounts of money and get vaccinated, as they would be entirely dependent on the State and the Centre," the plea said.