Supply Adequate Oxygen to States: Mamata to Modi

Hours after taking oath as the chief minister of West Bengal for her third successive term, Mamata Banerjee Wednesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and requested him to allow free-of-cost vaccination against Covid-19 to all.

She also requested him to ensure an adequate supply of essential drugs and hike allocation of medical oxygen for West Bengal.

Mamata had advocated free vaccines for all in the country during her election campaign, The Indian Express reported.

In the letter, the chief minister stressed four specific points. Firstly, she requested universal immunization for all in a transparent and time-bound manner. ''At present vaccine, availability is too inadequate to provide to eligible beneficiaries,'' the West Bengal CM said in the letter.

The CM also urged the PM to ensure the availability of essential drugs including Remdesivir and Tocilizumab to states to meet their rising demand.

''At least 10,000 doses of Remdesivir and 1000 vials of Tocilizumab is the daily requirement of our state (West Bengal),'' Mamata said in the letter.