Bhubaneswar: During a virtual meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Ministers of the States on Covid situation, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik demanded the Centre to provide at least 10 days stock of vaccines to the State.

Patnaik told the Prime Minister, “We have not been able to ramp up the vaccination due to supply issues. We are currently able to vaccinate 2.5 lakh persons per day and have capability to increase further. We request that at least 10 days stock of the vaccines is ensured for Odisha.”

He further stated Odisha has been doing well in vaccination programme with among the lowest wastage in the country and efficient system of administering the vaccine to eligible persons.

He apprised the Prime Minister that the State government has reactivated its system to tackle the new rise in the Covid cases especially in districts bordering some States with high incidence of the virus.

Patnaik further demanded the Centre to release at least Rs 300 crore for Covid management for 2021-22, in view of the new wave of the disease.

During 2020-21, Odisha had asked for Rs 400 crore under Emergency Covid Response Plan (ECRP), but the State government received only Rs 146 crore, the Chief Minister said.

He thanked the Centre for allowing the States to spend up to 50% of the annual allocation for Covid-related activities under SDRF guidelines during 2020-21.

Patnaik stated the same guidelines may be continued for the year 2021-22 as well.

“The entire country has to put up a united front against this pandemic and we will continue to provide support in this fight,” the Odisha Chief Minister said.