The Rafael deal was for Rs: 60000 crores. No one has discussed about economic depression that could have happened then. Today when the whole country is suffering from covid, govt says the economy will suffer if the vaccine is provided free of cost. Do they want to give it based on classes so that there won't be any crowd on the first-class vaccination centres? That reminds me of a scene from the movie Titanic when Ruth DeWitt Bukater's ask - "Will these lifeboats be seated according to class? I hope they're not too crowded." And many are comparing this to ration card colours. It is an emergency and not an economic situation.
Yes, everyone knows that it is difficult to provide a free vaccine. Look how the state of Kerala is dealing with it. The ruling government is urging people to donate through CMRF. Govt can give tax exemptions to hospitals that provide the vaccine for free.
We are a nuclear power. That is enough to confirm our national security. We spend thousands of crores on statues, new parliament building & for weapons. Instead of the unnecessary expenditure, we could have invested more in health care systems.