The Indian government has decided to provide ‘Y’ category security cover to Serum Institute of India’s CEO Adar Poonawalla as the controversy surrounding the pricing of Covishield vaccines gains momentum. The decision to provide ‘Y’ category security cover to Poonawalla came after Prakash Kumar Singh, Director, Government and Regulatory Affairs at Serum Institute of India wrote to Home Minister Amit Shah on 16 April 16 requesting for enhanced security for the company’s CEO.
Poonawalla, whose company has been producing Covishield vaccines in India, has been in the news after his company announced that state governments and private hospitals would have to pay considerably higher rates for each dose of the vaccine compared to what the central government had paid for the same.
According to news agency PTI, Singh had told Amit Shah in his letter that Poonawalla was getting threats from various groups regarding the COVID-19 vaccine supplies. He had said, “we are working shoulder to shoulder to fight against COVID-19 pandemic with the Government of India under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji.”
Under the ‘Y’ category security cover, Poonawalla would be protected by at least 11 security personnel including 2-3 commandos and policemen.
Meanwhile, Poonawalla has been facing more criticism after he announced that his company had slashed the price of each dose of Covishield vaccines from Rs 400 to Rs. 300. This, according to him, was a philanthropic step by his company. Poonawalla took to Twitter to write, “As a philanthropic gesture on behalf of @SerumInstIndia, I hereby reduce the price to the states from Rs.400 to Rs.300 per dose, effective immediately; this will save thousands of crores of state funds going forward. This will enable more vaccinations and save countless lives.”
As a philanthropic gesture on behalf of @SerumInstIndia, I hereby reduce the price to the states from Rs.400 to Rs.300 per dose, effective immediately; this will save thousands of crores of state funds going forward. This will enable more vaccinations and save countless lives.
— Adar Poonawalla (@adarpoonawalla) April 28, 2021
Twitterati, however, did not appear convinced with his claim on ‘philanthropic gesture’ as they began to give him grief.
A tragedy is unfolding and a billionaire expects us to feel nice that he is profiting less from us https://t.co/mSpCYizK2G
— Priyashmita (@priyashmita) April 28, 2021
Yes, as we all know philanthropic gestures come to the suffering in the form of grand announcements which makes you wonder , was the CEO always able to reduce the price ?
Also, next time , just reduce the price , the pat on the backs will come from the people in due time. https://t.co/ltbOrhmOjC— Aman Khanna (@amanwalkedintoa) April 28, 2021
Not enough Mr. @adarpoonawalla. It has to be Rs. 150 and Rs. 150 alone, a rupee less but not a rupee more!
Same for States as Centre.
It’s the same taxpayers’ money.
There is nothing philanthropic about it!
1/2 https://t.co/Myrwv0TWbS— Dr. Amar Patnaik (@Amar4Odisha) April 28, 2021
Philanthropy Sir is when something costing you less than current price of ₹150, as per your TV comments, would’ve been sold below the existing price. The right word is price gouging. Public outrage has made you gouge a little less. https://t.co/3OVbqHxFtU
— K. C. Singh (@ambkcsingh) April 28, 2021
The Indian government has decided to make vaccines available to everyone in the age group of 18-45 starting 1 May.