"Awareness Message": Centre Defends PM Photo On Vaccination Certificates

The written response of junior health minister Bharati Pravin Pawar came amid huge opposition criticism that started before a string of assembly elections held earlier this year.

The photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his statement on Covid vaccination certificates are meant to reinforce the message to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour even after inoculation, the government told the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. The written response of junior health minister Bharati Pravin Pawar came amid huge opposition criticism that started before a string of assembly elections held earlier this year. The Opposition had alleged that the move to PM's photo was self-promotion and projection ahead of the elections and was just a political move. Several opposition-ruled states including Punjab, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh even removed the photo from the certificates they issued. At a time when the states were in charge of procuring vaccines some leaders even said the Centre was taking credit for the states' efforts. The Centre has since taken charge of procuring the vaccines across the country, barring in private hospitals. States, though, are still in charge of administering the vaccines.