Vax drive will fuel growth: India Inc

New Delhi Industry experts and apex association have welcomed the decision by the Indian Prime Minister on centralization of the vaccine drive with many hoping that the immunization drive will bring sense of normalcy to the economy and different industry segments, thus fueling growth. Welcoming the PM's latest announcement on the centralized vaccination drive, Uday Shankar, president, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) on Tuesday said, "Going forward, logistics costs may need to be factored in case of those vaccines which require extensive cold chain logistics. It is very encouraging to note PM's assurance of more vaccine supply in the near future with particular mention of two more vaccines in the pipeline, seven more firms in process of making vaccines, efforts to get vaccines from abroad and trial for nasal vaccine. With a concerted effort by all it is possible to bring forward the timelines announced by the PM."

On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a centralised Covid-19 vaccine policy with 75 per cent vaccination drive to be taken care of by the central government and 25 per cent of procurement to be kept open for the private sector. The new system will be operationalised by June 21 and Citizens above the age of 18 years will get free vaccines at government hospitals. Along with ramping up vaccine production, Prime Minister had also announced research on nasal spray vaccine. "Industry also commends the collaborative efforts being made with various vaccine manufacturers; the support being provided to Indian manufacturers as well as the promotion of research for new products including the intranasal vaccine. These steps will help us not just for tackling the current crisis but will bring in a paradigm shift in the research and manufacturing of essential biopharmaceuticals in the country," said Shankar.

Similarly, TV Narendran, president, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), said: "Centralisation of procurement will ensure uniformity of procurement prices and create bandwidth among states to manage inoculation of their adult populations. This would also ensure an equitable allocation of vaccines in states. Making the vaccines available for all the eligible population free of cost will go a long way in protecting the citizens and resuming normal economic activities at the earliest." The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India, General-Secretary Deepak Sood said that the extension of the Pradhan Mantri Ann Kalyan Yojana, providing free ration to 800 million people till Diwali would instil a great sense of food security to the economically weaker sections of the society.

"The decision should also help return of migrant workers back to cities as the case loads of coronavirus has reduced considerably and the process of unlocking has begun in several states," he added.