States profiteering on procurement of vaccines: Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri

Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri claimed the vaccines are being sold at a higher price in the Opposition-ruled states, accusing them of profiteering from the procurement of vaccines.

Union Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Saturday accused the Opposition-ruled states of profiteering on the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines and claimed the vaccines are being sold at higher prices. In a press conference, the minister cited the data provided by Vikas Garg, an official of the Punjab government who is also in-charge of Covid vaccination programme. Puri said the figures provided by Garg on May 29 suggest that 4.29 lakh doses of Covishield were procured for Rs 13.25 crores, which makes the average price of a dose Rs 309. Also, 14,190 doses of Covaxine were procured for Rs 4.70 crore, with a single dose priced at Rs 412. However, the minister then claimed that Covishield is being sold at private hospitals for Rs 1,000 and above.