Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Mar 14: Serum Institute that released Covishield vaccine had donated Rs 52 crore to BJP through electoral bonds as per reports.
Reuters News has announced that a substantial amount was donated during the month of August 2022. While Rs 50 crore was donated within 48 hours, the remaining Rs 2 crore was donated within the next 15 days.
Reuters has made the news public after verifying the report submitted by Prudent Electoral Trust Commission to the Election Commission.
Serum Institute had transferred to Prudent Trust Rs 52.5 crore in three instalments - Rs 40 crore on August 1, Rs 10 crore on August 2 and Rs 2.5 crore on August 17.
The Centre had awarded monopoly rights to manufacture the vaccine to Serum Institute during Covid-19. It is said that Serum Institute had donated Rs 52.5 crore to the BJP in return.
Adar Poonawala who had taken over charge as CEO of Serum Institute in 2011 was in the news during Covid-19. He manufactured in India Estrogenic and Covishield prepared by Oxford University.
The Supreme Court in a landmark judgement on February 15 cancelled the election bonds and asked the Election Commission to make the details of donations before March 13 public.
The State Bank of India which woke up after the whip of the Supreme Court has submitted the bond data. The Election Commission is expected to publish it before March 15.