Coronavirus Live Updates: India records 86,498 new cases in last 24 hours, lowest in 66 days

Read: भारत में पिछले 24 घंटों में 86,498 नए मामले दर्ज किए गए, जो 66 दिनों में सबसे कम है

According to the health ministry on Tuesday, India reported 86,498 new coronavirus cases, 1,82,282 discharges and 2,123 deaths in the last 24 hours.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday announced that the Center will provide free coronavirus vaccine to states and union territories for immunization of all people above 18 from June 21.

In an address to the nation, Modi also announced that the Center has decided to procure 75 per cent of jabs from vaccine manufacturers, including 25 per cent of the state quota, and give them free of cost to state governments, while private sector hospitals can continue. To purchase the remaining 25 per cent, but cannot charge more than Rs 150 per dose at the pre-determined price.

The Congress sought the credit of the Supreme Court for the change in the Centre’s vaccination policy and said the announcement was made after the apex court reprimanded it and sought an affidavit on the vaccination campaign.

Some states had approached the apex court against the Centre’s vaccination policy, alleging that it was not uniform.