Editor's Pick: Is Centre blaming States on vaccines warranted?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that the Centre will handle all government procurement of vaccines from now on, reversing an earlier decision to let States procure 25% of total production in the open market. The PM also announced that vaccines will be provided for free to those in the 18-44 age group at government facilities. A cap was also placed on the price that private hospitals can charge for vaccinations, at ₹150 above the cost price. From May 1, the Centre had limited itself to procuring 50% of the total production of Covaxin and Covishield vaccines. This was then distributed for free among the States for vaccinating those aged 45 and above. The States were allowed to purchase 25% at a prefixed price directly from manufacturers to distribute to those in the 18-44 age group at a cost, though several States said they will distribute it for free. The remaining 25% was for procurement by private hospitals. After this system came into place, many States found their direct orders unmet by the producers, affecting the vaccination of those in the 18-44 group. In his speech, Mr. Modi stated that this quota system was put in place under pressure from the States and pegged the reversal on the States' inability to pull it off. However, this reversal also comes after the Supreme Court questioned the rationality of a system that makes the vaccine free for one age group and paid for another, especially since the Centre had budgeted ₹35,000 crore for the programme. Now, with the Centre handling 75% of the procurement, the pressure will lift from the States both financially and logistically. However, the question of availability in the near term remains as production by SII and Bharat BioTech do not match demand and the availability of other vaccines at scale is still some time away. This is what makes the story important. The Hindu's Editorials School ranks: On Performance Grading Index Fair wind: On IMD's projection of good monsoon Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Head over to our newsletter subscription page to sign up for Editor's Pick and more. Click here Try out The Hindu's daily news quiz Name the British-era judges responsible for the formulation of the sedition law in India. 1. Comer Petheram and Arthur Strachey 2. Lancelot Sanderson and Arthur Trevor Harries 3. John Edge and Walter Morgan 4. Richard Couch and Louis Addin Kershaw To find out the answer and play the full quiz, click here [logo] Editor's Pick 08 JUNE 2021 [The Hindu logo] In the Editor's Pick newsletter, The Hindu explains why a story was important enough to be carried on the front page of today's edition of our newspaper. [Arrow]( [Open in browser]( [Mail icon]( [More newsletters]( Is Centre blaming States on vaccines warranted? [Is Centre blaming States on vaccines warranted?] Prime Minister Narendra Modi [has announced]( that the Centre will handle all government procurement of vaccines from now on, reversing an [earlier decision]( to let States procure 25% of total production in the open market. The PM also announced that vaccines will be provided for free to those in the 18-44 age group at government facilities. A cap was also placed on the price that private hospitals can charge for vaccinations, at ₹150 above the cost price. From May 1, the Centre had limited itself to procuring 50% of the total production of Covaxin and Covishield vaccines. This was then distributed for free among the States for vaccinating those aged 45 and above. The States were allowed to purchase 25% at a prefixed price directly from manufacturers to distribute to those in the 18-44 age group at a cost, though several States said they will distribute it for free. The remaining 25% was for procurement by private hospitals. After this system came into place, many States found their direct orders unmet by the producers, affecting the vaccination of those in the 18-44 group. In his speech, Mr. Modi stated that this quota system was put in place under pressure from the States and pegged the reversal on the States' inability to pull it off. However, this reversal also comes after the [Supreme Court questioned the rationality]( of a system that makes the vaccine free for one age group and paid for another, especially since the Centre had budgeted ₹35,000 crore for the programme. Now, with the Centre handling 75% of the procurement, the pressure will lift from the States both financially and logistically. However, the question of availability in the near term remains as [production by SII and Bharat BioTech]( do not match demand and the availability of other vaccines at scale is still some time away. This is what makes the story important. The Hindu's Editorials [Arrow][School ranks: On Performance Grading Index]( [Arrow][Fair wind: On IMD's projection of good monsoon]( [underlineimg]  Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Head over to our newsletter subscription page to sign up for Editor's Pick and more. [Click here]( [underlineimg] Try out The Hindu's daily news quiz Name the British-era judges responsible for the formulation of the sedition law in India. 1. Comer Petheram and Arthur Strachey 2. Lancelot Sanderson and Arthur Trevor Harries 3. John Edge and Walter Morgan 4. 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