Allow Maharashtra to purchase vaccines independently: Raj Thackeray

Further lockdowns neither a viable option nor sustainable, says MNS chief

Amid Maharashtra’s steadily deteriorating pandemic situation, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has demanded that the Centre permit the State to purchase vaccines independently. In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing grave concern over surging cases and fatalities, Mr. Thackeray urged the Centre to allow private agencies to purchase vaccines and permit the Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) to sell vaccines freely in Maharashtra but with due regulation. “Allow other institutions like the Haffkine Bio-Pharmaceutical Corporation and Hindustan Antibiotics to manufacture the vaccine to ensure sufficient doses required in the State,” said the MNS president, detailing a list of five demands in his letter.