West Bengal government has moved the Supreme Court demanding free COVID-19 vaccine for all as part of the universal vaccine drive. The matter is expected to be heard on May 10.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been demanding free-of-cost vaccination against coronavirus for all.

Hours after taking oath Banerjee on Wednesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi advocating her long-standing demand of free-of-cost vaccination.

‘Free vaccine for all’

“At the very outset, I would again like to emphasise on free vaccination for all. You may kindly recall my letter dated February 24, 2021, wherein I had requested you to permit the government of West Bengal to allow procurement of vaccine from the designated points for providing vaccination to the people of the state free of cost. This has not been addressed,” she said in her letter.

She further said that currently vaccine availability is too inadequate to provide it to the eligible beneficiaries and said that the government of India’s direction to extend vaccination to the 18 plus category is unrealistic to achieve.

The Chief Minister had called for the free vaccine for all in the country during her election campaign.

Mamata urges PM Modi to increase allocation of medical oxygen

Mamata Banerjee on Friday wrote another letter to PM Modi seeking an increase in the allocation of medical oxygen.

She urged the Centre to supply additional medical oxygen as the demand is going up in the state due to a surge in COVID-19 cases.

The Chief Minister further requested the Prime Minister to issue instructions for an immediate allocation of at least 550 MT per medical oxygen for the state.

India again reported its highest single-day spike on the second consecutive day registering 4,14,188 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours.

On May 6, 4,12,262 new COVID-19 cases were reported.