By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: The Naveen Patnaik led BJD Government in Odisha on Monday decided to issue a global tender to procure Covid-19 vaccines from well-known international companies so that the people of the State can get the vaccine in time.
The State Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, adopted a number of resolutions including immediate immunisation of at-risk people and protection and restoration of their livelihoods. A technical committee would be set up to look into the matter.
The Cabinet decided that the State Government would demand that the Centre withdraw all taxes on vaccine procurements, which would put less pressure on the State’s economy and help the State Government in its efforts to procure vaccines.
The Cabinet felt that the fight against Covid is a very long one. Therefore, the additional resources that the Central Government collects through various cesses and taxes need to be appropriately distributed among the States.
The Cabinet praised the frontline Covid warriors for their continued commitment to the fight against the pandemic. It thanked the people for supporting the steps taken by the Government in the battle against Covid such as testing, tracing, vaccination and lockdown.
It was observed by the Cabinet that vaccination is the most important way to protect the people from future Covid infections. Vaccination has proved to be effective in reducing the severity of the disease and the risk of life-threatening complications.
