Meghalaya CM for reducing price of Covid-19 vaccines

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 1, 2021

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Friday said that the state government has requested the need to reduce the price of COVID-19 vaccines supplied to the state.

Speaking to media persons, Sangma said, “…we are looking at other forms of support for example if the price of the vaccines could go down and the same rate at which Government of India is getting, if we can also get that, it will be helpful.”

He said these are the kinds of support the state is searching for at this juncture.

The chief minister also admitted that availability of funds is a challenge for Meghalaya and other North Eastern states.

“However, we will not compromise on it and though it is a challenge we will go ahead (with the vaccination drive). We have already asked the company to supply us the vaccines and it will cost us Rs 90 crore plus,” he said adding “Though it will be a challenge for us but it is a priority and I should say investment or expenditure that is going to be beneficial for the people at large and the state.”

The Chief Minister further informed that the Government of India is helping the state in different ways.

He said the vaccination drive for people above the age of 45 years have been given free by the Centre.

“This is Government of India’s expenditure they bought it at Rs 150 so that is the support coming directly from the Centre,” he said.

“Apart from that, the oxygen plants that are going to be set, three of them coming from PM Care … apart from that whenever we require, they are giving us the necessary support,” the CM said.