Rajasthan CM accuses MP of slowing vaccination drive for records

Jaipur: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday accused the neighbouring state of Madhya Pradesh of grabbing the limelight by slowing the vaccination pace in the first few days and then later accelerating on the first day of the mega vaccination drive. He further alleged that the vaccination campaign was intentionally delayed in the initial days to save the stock and set records later.

Alleging that a few states planned to vaccinate a record number of people during the vaccination mega drive, he said, "On June 18, 15,000 people were vaccinated in MP, 22,000 people were vaccinated on June 19, however, on June 20, only 692 people were vaccinated. The next day, a total of 16 lakh people were vaccinated." He further added that the mega drive is to save lives and there is no need to show off.

June 21, when free vaccination started for all aged between 18 and 44, was celebrated as the start of the vaccination mega drive. Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan had earned praise for vaccinating 16 lakh people on the day in the state. However, in Rajasthan, only 4.52 lakh were vaccinated on the day.

Furthermore, while questioning the central government's lack of transparency in its vaccine distribution, Gehlot demanded a quick dispatch of 1.50 crore vaccines to check a possible third wave in the state. He said that Rajasthan has been facing a limited vaccine supply. While 2 lakh doses were available on Monday, only 60,000 were available on Tuesday. Several centres will be unable to vaccinate on Wednesday in the state, health officials noted.