Was unaware of govt efforts to boost vaccine production, Gadkari clarifies

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari's remarks on Tuesday on the need to allow more companies to produce vaccines gave fodder to the opposition Congress to target the Narendra Modi government.

While addressing vice-chancellors virtually, Gadkari had said he will also request Prime Minister Narendra Modi to bring a law for allowing more pharmaceutical companies to manufacture lifesaving drugs by paying 10 per cent royalty to the patent holder of the drug. "If the demand of vaccine is more than its supply, then it creates a problem. So, instead of one company, 10 more companies should be allowed to make vaccines by paying 10 per cent royalty to the original patent holder of the vaccine," he said.

By echoing demands made by opposition leaders, Gadkari's remarks were interpreted by the Congress as being critical of the Modi government.

However, on Wednesday Gadkari tweeted a clarification on the issue. Gadkari said he was "unaware" that Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers Mansukh Mandviya had explained the Centre's efforts to ramp up supply of vaccines.

Gadkari tweeted, "Yesterday while participating at the conference organised by Swadeshi Jagaran Manch, I had made a suggestion to ramp up vaccine production. I was unaware that before my speech Minister for Chemical & Fertilizers Shri @mansukhmandviya had explained government’s efforts to ramp up... vaccine production. After conference, he also informed me that, GoI is already facilitating vaccine manufacturing by 12 different plants/companies and rapid ramp up of production is expected in near future as a result of these efforts."

Gadkari added, "I was unaware that his ministry has started these efforts before I had given suggestion yesterday. I am glad and congratulate he and his team for this timely intervention in the right direction. I feel important to put this on record."