Nitish Kumar's government approves proposal for free Covid-19 vaccine for all in Bihar

Vaccination of entire population of Bihar for COVID-19 will be done free of cost upon availability of jab, state cabinet resolved on Tuesday. This was also one of promises me by ruling Janata Dal-United (JDU) and its ally BJP before elections and was anunced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.  decision was taken at first meeting of cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar since allocation of portfolios last month.

'20 lakh new jobs will be created': Bihar govt

cabinet gave its go-ahe for implementation of "Saat Nishchay Part-2", second part of seven resolves of Chief Minister. Free COVID-19 vaccine is one of many components of seventh resolve "sabke liye atirikt swasthy suvidha" (better health amenities for all). Or points covered under seven resolves part 2 include upgration of educational institutions and ecomic empowerment of youth through a slew of measures including establishment of a separate department for skill development and setting up of "mega skill centres" and "tool rooms" across all 38 districts.

According to a statement issued by government after cabinet meeting, se measures are expected to create "20 lakh new jobs in government and private sectors". Social and ecomic empowerment of women, rural development with a focus on better waste manment, increased use of solar energy and upgred fisheries and animal husbandry besides urban rejuvenation are also covered under seven resolves. Urban rejuvenation has also been given due importance with establishment of "storm water drain" proposed in all cities in towns so as to prevent massive water-logging crises like one experienced by state capital a year ago. 

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opposition h slammed BJP for anuncing free vaccine for only poll-bound state.  BJP-led Centre earlier this month said that re may t be a need to vaccinate country's entire population. "I just want to make this clear that government has never spoken about vaccinating entire country. It's important that we discuss such scientific issues based on factual information only and n analyse it," Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan was quoted by news ncy PTI as saying.

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(With ncy inputs)