The Punjab government, on Friday, withdrew the order of "providing one-time limited vaccine does to 18-44 years group population through private hospitals," following allegations of profiteering.
Shiromani Akali Dal had alleged that vaccine doses were not available in the state but they were being sold to private institutions instead of being given free of cost to the common man.
The government order said the decision to provide vaccines to private hospitals "has not been taken in the right spirit and is hereby withdrawn."
"Further, it has been decided that the private hospitals should return all the vaccine does available to them. The does which they have utilized as of date should also be returned back, once they get direct supplies from the manufacturers. The amount deposited by the private hospitals in the vaccine fund shall be refunded to them," the order said.
Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu said a total of 42,000 does vaccines were given to private hospitals, and this have been taken back. "Chief minister immediately took cognisance of the incident and the decision was nixed. Those who have paid extra price for vaccine will get reimbursement," news agency ANI quoted him as saying.
Earlier, Sidhu had said he ordered a probe into the oppositions’ allegations that the state government has been “diverting” COVID-19 vaccines to private hospitals. “What I have learnt through media, I have already ordered for a probe and we will order a proper inquiry. We will keep the issue before the chief minister,” he had said.
Shiromani Akali Dal, in a statement on Thursday, had said Covaxin dose costing Rs 400 to the state was being sold to private institutions at Rs 1,060, which would in turn be given to people for Rs 1,560 for each dose. “The government was punishing people by forcing them to cough up Rs 1,560 per dose during a time of economic slowdown,” Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal had said.
—With PTI inputs
