Dhanbad district administration has banned the use of political banners, posters, symbols at Covid vaccination centres across the district.

A letter in this regard has been issued by Kumar Tarachand, ADM (law & Order) to Shyamkishore Kant, Dhanbad Civil Surgeon instructing him to strictly monitor vaccination centres to ensure that political banners and posters are not used.

The political parties however expressed mixed reaction over the decision. Congress welcomed the development but BJP claimed that it would put up banners and posters 50 metres away from vaccination centres.

Confirming the development, Vikas Rana, District Reproductive and Child Health Officer (DRCHO) of Dhanbad said, “We have received the letter and will ensure strict adherence to the instruction as we also face difficulty due to the putting up of posters and banners and sometimes even help desks inside the vaccination centres.”

“As we have completed the vaccination of over 12 lakh people, we plan to gradually restrict the number of vaccination centres and organize vaccination at only such centres which are well equipped with all the facilities including proper drinking water supply, seating arrangement etc and with the gradual opening of private schools we are not facing paucity of such well-equipped centres,” said Rana.

When Brajendra Prasad Singh, District President of Congress party, was contacted, he said “We welcome the district administration move in this regard as we feel that government premises can’t be used for political purposes.”

He accused BJP of misusing the vaccination drive for political gain. “Instead of putting up giant size posters of the party and Prime Minister, the Central Government should ensure sufficient stock of vaccines to states as the majority of vaccination centres go dry by the second half of the day,” said Singh.

He added, “If at all BJP is concerned about the welfare of the common people it’s party workers should visit door to door to make people aware about the vaccination and to help them to reach the vaccination centres.”

Chandrashekhar Singh, district president of BJP said, “We are ready to abide by the instruction if it is bars usage of posters inside the vaccination centre. However, we will flout the rule and are ready to go to jail if it prohibits the use of banners and posters 50 meters away from the vaccination centres.”