Mamata seeks more doses for Bengal : BJP-ruled states are getting more vaccines: CM

Mamata Banerjee: File picture

Pranesh Sarkar   |   TT  |  Calcutta   |   06.08.21: Mamata Banerjee on Thursday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to ensure that Bengal got required number of Covid-19 vaccine doses at the earliest while alleging that some BJP-ruled states were getting more doses compared to Bengal.

“Even after the devastation caused by the second wave, the Centre has not been augmenting supply of vaccines to the states on warfooting to combat future waves. As a result, thousands of innocent people are still being affected every day,” the chief minister wrote in her letter.

Mamata wrote that Bengal had received only 2.68 crore doses so far while the state required nearly 14 crore doses to administer two doses each to 7 crore eligible people who are above 18 years of age.

“So, my earnest appeal to you would be kindly see that Bengal receives adequate vaccine doses as per its requirement as mentioned above at the earliest,” reads the letter.

The chief minister said some BJP-ruled states were getting more vaccines. “I am sorry to say that the Central Government is providing larger number of vaccine doses to states like Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka which are BJP-ruled. I have no problem if they or any other state for that matter receives higher number of vaccine doses, but I cannot remain a mute spectator to see Bengal deprived.”