Bhubaneswar: Odisha government has decided to float a global tender to procure Covid-19 vaccines for the people of Odisha from various vaccine manufacturing companies in different countries. A decision was taken after a cabinet meeting was held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday.
Informing about the decision, chief secretary Suresh Mohapatra shared that the Health and Family Welfare Department has been allowed to invite global tenders for the vaccines. A technical team will be soon formed to process a tender.
The state cabinet has also urged the Government of India to exempt vaccines from all kinds of tax liabilities. This would help to reduce burden on states’ finances and facilitate Odisha’s drive towards universal vaccination, shared Mohapatra.