[Marxistindia] Health Emergency: Immediate Measures

[news from the cpi(m)]

April 19, 2021

Press Statement


The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued  
the following statement:

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) expresses its grave concern at the  
devastation being caused by the surging pandemic in the country.

In such a grave health emergency, it is incumbent upon the central  
government to at least do the following:

Immediately marshal all public sector drug production facilities  
towards vaccine production. It is reported that one of the facilities  
in Tamilnadu, the Integrated Vaccine Complex (IVC), in the public  
sector, built at a cost of Rs. 600 crores is lying unutilised.  
Capacities of all such facilities need to be utilised to their maximum  
to meet the demand-supply gap.

It is essential that the central government must spend the budgetary  
allocation of Rs. 35,000 crores for vaccine production immediately.

Given the various doubts and concerns raised in the public about the  
availability and distribution of vaccines and drugs utilised in the  
treatment of Covid 19, it is important that their availability and  
distribution be done in a transparent manner.

Strict action against all hoarding and black marketing of essential  
drugs must be enforced.

The central government must mount pressure on the US Administration to  
uphold its commitment and ensure supply of essential raw material for  
vaccine production to India.

The Polit Bureau appeals to all to treat this public health emergency  
with all  the seriousness that it warrants. All mass gatherings and  
super spreader events should be banned.

The central government must stop indulging in petty politics, blaming  
the people and shifting the blame on the shoulders of the state  
governments. It is paramount that in order to overcome this pandemic  
the centre and the states work together.

The country has to rise together to meet this challenge that is  
imposing untold tragedies.



For CPI(M) Central Committee Office