Chandigarh, May 5: The Punjab government paid Rs 10.37 crore to the Serum Institute of India (SII) on April 26 for procurement of around 30 lakh doses of anti-COVID vaccine but no schedule for supply has so far been received, officials claimed on Wednesday.

Chairing a virtual cabinet meeting here, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh directed the health department to explore all options for the supply of the vaccine.

Though the state government had made a payment of Rs 10.37 crore to the SII for procurement of around 30 lakh doses on April 26, no schedule for supply has so far been received from them, Health Secretary Hussan Lal informed the state cabinet. The state government hospitals in the state have not yet started the vaccination drive for the 18-44 age group due to non-availability of anti-coronavirus vaccine doses. COVID-19 Vaccine Shortage in Karnataka to Be Sorted Out in 2 to 3 Days, Says CM BS Yediyurappa.

Only some private hospitals, which had placed direct orders for the vaccine, have commenced the inoculation drive of those aged 18 and above, the participants of the meeting were informed, according to an official statement.

For the state government, SII has only indicated that the availability of Covishield will be known in about four weeks' time, said the health secretary.

The cabinet was informed that in the present circumstances, vaccination of 18-44 age group could not be launched in government hospitals, nor was there any clarity on when the process could begin.

Meanwhile, the cabinet approved one-time relaxation in Punjab Village Common Lands (Regulation) Rules, 1964 for transfer of 5 acres of panchayat land in Mohali to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for establishment of National Institute of Virology for north zone.

The institute has been sanctioned by the central government on a proposal by the Punjab government. The cabinet authorised deputy commissioner, Mohali to complete all necessary formalities to transfer the land in Mullanpur Garibdas village in SAS Nagar.

Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan said the construction of the institute would start by the end of this year. There is no provision in the Punjab Village Common Lands (Regulation) Rules, 1964 for gifting panchayat land to the central government, but Section 21 of the General Clauses Act, 1897 provides that the power to make rules includes the power to amend or relax the rules. COVID-19 Third Wave Inevitable, Warns Government’s Principal Scientific Advisor K Vijay Raghavan.

The cabinet noted that the institute will be for the welfare of the residents of Punjab, the cabinet noted. It further stressed that the institute would be of vital importance in view of the pandemic.

Meanwhile, the chief minister virtually launched an online citizen portal to provide all property related services in a seamless manner. Lauding the people-friendly initiative of the Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA), the chief minister said it would hugely benefit people across the state and enable them to avail all services regarding property matters in a smooth and transparent manner, thus eliminating inordinate delays and corrupt practices in the process.

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