Maharashtra BJP MLA Mihir Kotecha on Monday revealed that a woman residing in Vikhroli, Mumbai received the vaccination certificate of the first dose without even getting inoculated.
A Lady from #Mulund got a appointment for her 1st dose at @mybmc Vikhroli centre.she coudnt go,shockingly she recd her vaccine certificate in evening.i demand MCGM Commissioner conduct a through audit of vaccine. #VaccineScam in Mumbai. @Dev_Fadnavis pic.twitter.com/E2ZloVLj6L
— Mihir Kotecha (@mihirkotecha) May 10, 2021
The Mulund MLA, while speaking to media, informed that a woman had approached him after getting a provisional certificate for the vaccination even though she had not taken the first dose. “She was unsure whether she would get the first jab again. This smells like a big vaccine scam, a thorough probe should be done,” he said.
Maharashtra | Yesterday a lady approached me for getting a provisional certificate for vaccination despite not taking her 1st dose. She was unsure whether she would get the first jab again. This smells like a big vaccine scam, a thorough probe should be done: BJP MLA from Mulund pic.twitter.com/kkLJaLPqKM
— ANI (@ANI) May 11, 2021
Hinting at a scam, the MLA has demanded an audit of every vaccine given to Mumbaikars suspecting there could be more cases like hers.
Informing that he will soon write to the Maharashtra Chief Minister and Home Minister if the matter isn’t probed, Kotecha warned, “Any officer of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation found guilty should be terminated.”
However, Yashwant Jadhav, the Chairman of BMC Standing Committee refuted the allegations and claimed that there is no question of any inquiry based on ‘random complaint’.
We do work & they (BJP) hurl accusations. They must go out & help people. If they want to nit-pick, offer solutions too. There is no question of inquiry on the basis of some random complaint: Yashwant Jadhav, Chairman BMC Standing Committee on Mulund BJP MLA’s allegations pic.twitter.com/bhIJKzvpFh
— ANI (@ANI) May 11, 2021
As of now, the state of Maharashtra has stalled the vaccination drive for 18-44 years of age citing a shortage of vaccine.
State Health Minister Rajesh Tope in a statement to the media informed that the government has decided to prioritise the second dose of the 45+ age group people with the remaining stock of vaccines.
“There is a dearth of vaccines, hence we’re considering holding off vaccination drive temporarily for 18-44 age group. 2.75 lakh vaccine doses are left for this age group that’ll be now used for 45 years and above group. Administering the second dose is a priority,” he added.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Minister Aditya Thackeray in a tweet claimed that the government is looking at other avenues to procure vaccine doses to strengthen the vaccination drive in the state.
“Looking at the need for adequate vaccines to ensure that vaccination is swift and efficient, after discussing the issue with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, as guardian minister of Mumbai, we have asked BMC to explore possibilities of global procurement of vaccines,” he said in a tweet.
Looking at the need for adequate vaccines to ensure that vaccination is swift & efficient, after discussing the issue with CM Uddhav Thackeray ji, as guardian minister of Mumbai, we have asked @mybmc to explore possibilities of global procurement of vaccines. (1/n)
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) May 10, 2021
As per the Press Information Bureau, the state reported 37,236 new Covid-19 cases and recorded almost double recoveries (61,607) in the past 24 hours.