KATHMANDU – The government has decided to begin the process of purchasing a Covid-19 vaccine on a government to government (G2G) procurement modality after it is approved for distribution.
According to a high-level cabinet source, the meeting of the council of ministers held on Monday decided to purchase the first Covid-19 vaccine after it gets government approval for the distribution.
The cabinet meeting also decided to provide PCR tests at government labs and hospitals free of cost. The decision follows a recent verdict from the Supreme Court ordering the government to provide PCR tests and Covid-19 treatment for free.
The cabinet meeting decided to contribute 50 percent of the monthly salaries of all ministers for nine months (Chaitra to Mangsir) to support the Coronavirus Control and Treatment Fund.
The government has also decided to roll back the 10 percent customs duty that it had levied on the imports of books. Earlier, in a budget speech for the last fiscal year 2019/20, the government had decided to impose a 10 percent customs duty on the imports of books.
However, the cabinet decided to revoke the customs duty on books in line with the demands of book importers. The cabinet meeting also decided to begin the process of establishing a fertilizer industry in the country.
