Rising number uncontrollable Covid cases are putting pressure not only on the states but also on the central government. Tackling the epidemic effectively has become the biggest challenge. It is no secret that there are many flaws, shortcomings and mismanagement in this great mission. In a country of 135 million people, this is exactly what would happen. That is, no government seeks to deliberately push sick people to their deaths.

States that do not have adequate health and treatment systems may lag behind in this regard. Even there, the government will do its best to ensure that no one's life is lost due to Covid. The problem facing many states is that the number of Covid patients is increasing beyond the capacity of hospitals. The shortage of doctors and paramedical staff is also a big problem. Along with that is the massive shortage of oxygen, an indispensable item in Covid treatment. In places like Delhi, where the spread of the disease is so high, people are flocking to hospitals to procure oxygen to their loved ones. The intervention of the high courts has already taken place. The Center has also taken steps to import oxygen from all available sources. There are 23 plants for importing oxygen from Germany. Russia has agreed to send half a million tonnes of oxygen cylinders and four million Remdecivir drugs to India immediately. France is also with the helping hand. Military aircraft are also being used to deliver oxygen to areas where there is an urgent need. All of this should be seen as a positive step towards dealing with the critical Covid situation.

Meanwhile, opposition parties have come under fire for criticizing the central government's vaccine policy. It is alleged that the Center is helping the vaccine manufacturers. The high cost of the vaccine to states has also been criticized. While the Center pays Rs 150, the states have to pay Rs 400 per dose. Private hospitals cost Rs 600. Opposition-ruled states have unanimously demanded that the Centre buy the vaccine and distribute it to the states as per the requirement. However, the Prime Minister assured in a video conference with the Chief Ministers that the Centre would bear half of the cost of the vaccine. However, vaccine and oxygen issues have become a major political issue. The fact is that the Covid situation is a good opportunity for the opposition, which is even otherwise is in loggerheads with the Centre.

It is estimated that more than 14 crore people in the country have already been vaccinated against Covid. The Center has supplied the required vaccine to the states free of cost. The Center has also assured that everyone above the age of 45 will continue to be vaccinated free of cost. It should not be forgotten that the vaccine is produced here at the lowest rates in the world. Vaccine manufacturers will see their own reasons for charging different prices. Both the Center and the states will have to buy the vaccine at a price fixed by the company. How can we ask companies to give it for free? When it becomes the duty of the government to give the vaccine to all, it is useless to criticize the price and increase it. It is a great relief to know that even if the price is paid, the vaccine is available. For states with an annual budget of Rs one lakh crore or more spending Rs 1000 crore is not a big deal. Finally it is for the life of the people.

With the announcement that the Left Democratic Front is preparing for an agitation against the Centre's vaccine policy, other parties will also soon chip in. Next Wednesday, the LDF will hold a half an hour satyagraha in their house compund. In any case, the decision to restrict the agitation to the house court yard is apt. But the accusation that the Center is creating opportunities for the 'corporate giants' to cash in on the situation does not seem to be close to reality.

Authorities have an accurate count of those who have been vaccinated and those who are yet to be vaccinated. Therefore, vaccination schedules can only be determined with precise planning. The government do not have to buy and collect the vaccine all at once. It is enough to ensure that the vaccine is supplied without interruption. These are the things that an expert panel will be able to do easily.