The Congress on Friday said there is more to achieve and explain for the Union government than rushing to celebrate the occasion of completing one billion vaccination against Covid-19. The main opposition party asked the government to explain how long it will take for full vaccination, why is their a delay in starting vaccination for those under 18 years, in rolling out booster shots and in providing monetary compensation for families of the Covid-19 victims. The Congress also charged the Union government with diplomatic failure in securing global recognition for the Covaxin.While congratulating the doctors and health workers for one billion vaccination, AICC spokesperson Randeep Surjewala pointed out that according to the government, only 29 million people (about 21%) have received both vaccines and demanded to know how the remaining adult population will be vaccinated by this year end.
“Will the Modi government, instead of making television headlines, answer how it is going to administer 106 crore vaccines in 70 days (by December 31, 2021) and what is its path and policy?” He further asked the government to explain why Covaxin has not yet been approved by the WHO.Congress MP Shahshi Tharoor, however, struck a different note on India touching one billion vaccination mark, saying “this is a matter of pride for all Indians. Let’s give the government credit. After severe mismanagement of the second # Covidwave and botching the vaccination orders that might have prevented it, govt has now partly redeemed itself. It remains accountable for its earlier failures”.