Image Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
To remove the customs duty on imports of vaccines has been in the talks from December but waited for the allow of imported vaccines in the country. Currently, the government is imposing 10% customs duty plus 16.5% I-GST and welfare surcharge on the imported vaccines which make them costlier than vaccines of Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech.
Moderna, Jhonson and Jhonson, Pfizer and Sputnik V are the imported vaccines that are pushing the government for allowing their use. The government has cleared Sputnik V which is Russian-Origin and was the 1st vaccine for corona.
The daily caseload is increasing continuously and India has become the 2nd worst-hit country after the US. India is also starting its phase 3 of the vaccination to vaccinate adults above 18 years.