Bhubaneswar: The state government should step up efforts on preventive vaccination in areas afflicted by Japanese Encephalitis (JE), asserted Union science and technology minister Harsh Vardhan here Friday.
The former health minister who was in the city to inaugurate a research and development (R&D) building of the Institute of Life Sciences opined the state should initially focus on supply of vaccine to prevent spread of JE in the affected areas.
‘‘Although health is a state subject, the Centre is committed to providing the requisite support to the state,” Vardhan pointed out.
When asked about the state government’s allegation of delay in getting vaccines from the directorate of National vector-borne diseases control programme, a nodal agency for prevention of vector-borne diseases, the minister assured Orissa POST he would address the issue with the Centre.
“I am unaware of this issue. I will, however, draw the attention of Union health minister and the government. The state would get full support from the central government to handle the situation and procedural lapse, probably, may be the reason for the delay,” said Vardhan.
When asked about measures being taken by the Centre for making green technologies affordable, the Union minister claimed that the government provides subsidy for the same.
“The government has been providing subsides for use of green technology. The sops help make green technology more viable and affordable,” claimed Vardhan.
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