Begin typing your search above and press return to search.
proflie-avatar
Login
exit_to_app
The smouldering of anger in Ladakh
access_time 29 March 2024 4:20 AM GMT
Democracy that banks on the electorate
access_time 28 March 2024 5:34 AM GMT
Lessons to learn from Moscow terror attack
access_time 27 March 2024 6:10 AM GMT
Gaza
access_time 26 March 2024 4:34 AM GMT
The poison is not in words, but inside
access_time 25 March 2024 5:42 AM GMT
DEEP READ
Schools breeding hatred
access_time 14 Sep 2023 10:37 AM GMT
Ukraine
access_time 16 Aug 2023 5:46 AM GMT
Ramadan: Its essence and lessons
access_time 13 March 2024 9:24 AM GMT
When ‘Jai Sree Ram’ becomes a death call
access_time 15 Feb 2024 9:54 AM GMT
exit_to_app
Homechevron_rightIndiachevron_rightIndia likely to raise...

India likely to raise COVID vaccine expenditure this fiscal year: Report

text_fields
bookmark_border
India likely to raise COVID vaccine expenditure this fiscal year: Report
cancel

New Delhi: India may raise its expenditure on the Covid vaccine to Rs 45,000 crore from its budgeted amount this fiscal year, according to government sources, Reuters reported. The report of the raise, which is over a quarter, came after PM Modi offered free vaccination for all adults in the country. The budgeted amount for the vaccine drive was Rs 35,000 crore.

In an address on Monday, PM Modi said that the government would bear the cost of vaccinating all adults from June 21. The Centre was criticised for asking the states to pay for immunisations for those aged under 45 years.

One of the sources told Reuters that the increase was also due to the rise in the costs of domestically manufactured shots. However, he didn't elaborate much, and the Finance Ministry didn't respond to Reuter's email seeking clarification.

AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured by Serum Institute of India and another vaccine developed at home by Bharat Biotech is currently used in India. In addition, the Sputnik V vaccine, by Russia, is about to launch in the country commercially.

Modi shifted his policy after facing weeks-long criticism regarding a clumsy rollout of vaccines which had covered below 5 per cent of the country's estimated adult population of 950 million. The Covid-19 second wave charged the infected cases up to 18.6 million in the past five months alone.

(based on Reuters report)

Show Full Article
TAGS:Covid IndiaCovid19 updates
Next Story