Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday welcomed the centre's decision to supply free COVID-19 vaccines for people in the age group of 18-44 years, saying it is not only their right but also a necessity.
He, however, added that those who want to pay for the vaccine can choose the option as in the case of LPG cylinder subsidy.
Mr Thackeray said after the centre had given the responsibility of vaccinating people within the age group of 18-44 to the states, his government had made preparations and allocated money for the same.
He said Maharashtra has six crore people in this age group and would require 12 crore doses for inoculating them.
"We had also started it but the supply was inadequate. Yesterday, the PM again gave the responsibility to the centre. We are thankful to him and hope that all obstacles will be cleared and all citizens will be vaccinated at the earliest," Mr Thackeray, who was here to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said.
"Getting a free vaccine is both a right and a necessity," the chief minister asserted.
PM Modi had on Monday announced that the central government will provide free coronavirus vaccines to states and union territories for inoculation of all above 18 from June 21 and that the centre will take over the 25 percent state procurement quota.
Asserting that vaccine supply would be increased significantly in the coming days, the prime minister said the centre has now decided to buy 75 percent of jabs from vaccine makers for free supply to states.
Private sector hospitals will continue to procure 25 percent of vaccines, but they cannot charge more than Rs 150 per dose over the pre-fixed price.
When asked about this, Mr Thackeray said, "It is good to give the vaccines for free but if some people want it they can take it (by paying). Some time back, there was also a talk of (giving up) subsidy (on LPG cylinder)."
The Congress, an ally of Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, has slammed the centre for allowing private hospitals to charge for the vaccine.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
How Donald Trump's 'America-First' Agenda Could Test US-India Ties Explained: What Is PM Vidyalaxmi Scheme 'One Rank, One Pension', A Tribute To Courage And Sacrifices Of Veterans: PM Modi BJP's "Urban Naxals" Attack After Row Over "Red Book" At Rahul Gandhi Event Indian-Origin Woman Buys Matthew Perry's Los Angeles Home, Performs 'Puja' "As A Kashmiri...": Sajad Lone Joins Fight In House To Shield Kashmir MLA Top 10 Selling Cars In India In October 2024: Maruti Swift To Tata Nexon Shah Rukh Khan Gets Threat Call From Chhattisgarh, Mumbai Police File Case North Korean Soldiers Get Internet Access In Ukraine, Hooked On Porn: Report Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.