Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday sasked Jharkhand to hold extensive vaccination drives in tribal-dominated and far-flung villages of the state on the birth anniversary of freedom fighter Birsa Munda by inculcating the idea of tribal unity against Covid-19 to encouraging everyone to get vaccinated.

Addressing the deputy commissioners of districts that have shown a sluggish vaccination pace, Modi said that utilizing the emotion associated with tribal hero Birsa Munda, who is referred to as "Bhagwan (God-like)" in the tribal belts of Jharkhand, may help the state achieve positive results in the ongoing vaccination drive.

“We need to identify special days and set targets of vaccination on those days. For instance, we can start preparing in advance for Birsa Munda Jayanti, and create a positive environment in the tribal belts about getting vaccinated as a mark of respect to the great tribal freedom fighter,” said Modi.

Jharkhand also celebrates Statehood Day on November 15, which is the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda.

Deputy Commissioners of at least eight Jharkhand districts – Deoghar, Garwah, Giridih, Godda, Latehar, Pakur, Sahebganj and West Singhbhum – attended the meeting with the prime minister via video conferring on Wednesday. State Health Minister Banna Gupta and chief ministers of other states also attended the meeting. The eight districts have administered the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine to less than 60 per cent of the eligible population.

During the meeting, Modi also asked officials to focus on setting up targets at micro level and achieve them. Besides setting targets for districts, officials should also aggressively set targets for blocks, villages and even small colonies. “Even if four households in a colony have unvaccinated members, we should make sure that they get vaccinated,” Modi said.

According to a press communique from Jharkhand health minister Banna Gupta’s office, the Prime Minister asked the states to ensure vaccination facility at ration shops and markets, and include influential politicians and spiritual leaders in mobilizing people to get vaccinated.

Modi also urged officials to hold special vaccination drives for forest dwellers and people living in far-flung areas. He commended the efforts of Asha workers who have ensured vaccination in the interiors of the country since the beginning of the immunisation drive.

As per records with the state government, over 1.50 crore Jharkhand residents have received at least one dose of Covid-19 vaccine and at least 57 lakh of them have also received the second jab. The state has set a target of administering at least 3 lakh vaccine jabs daily.

A document from the health minister’s office highlighted that the state at present has 34.60 lakh vaccine doses in stock. About 6.97 lakh Covaxin doses and 27.63 lakh Covishield doses are available in Jharkhand.