Covid is raging West Bengal as it is, in the entire world. I have been watching the Press briefing from Nabanna, the Secretariat, initially with concern and later with amusement.
Be that as it may, the well-started fight against Covid, soon ran out of steam, causing the appointment of laughable death audit committees. Only these committees could certify the cause of death, even if the patients were infected with Covid 19. If the deceased had a gallbladder or appendix problem, the death certificates would cease to be called Covid-19 deaths but classified as ‘Comorbidity’ deaths.
The Centre and the State varied about West Bengal mortality numbers. Soon the State disbanded the death-audit committee, saving itself from further embarrassments. Rumours of bodies secretly carted or cremation or burials filled the social media, which does not need government subsidies or advertisement support for its survival, as the mainstream media do.
There were complaints from the Governor regarding low tests conducted. The State rebuffed that the Centre has not supplied the test kits. Then came the complaints regarding PDS distribution and the Governor again stepped in, unhappy with the rationing system in force. A hitherto unwitnessed exchange of accusations between the Governor and the Chief Minister stunned the public.
Now the turn is accusations are rife about the return of the migrants. The State is accusing the Centre, and the Centre is returning the volley through the Rail ministry that the State has not permitted the return of the migrants.
It must be realized that the war against Covid is a greater war than the inconsequential political battles within. The million-dollar question is, why secrecy should shroud the death numbers? I can only guess an answer and do not feel comfortable about it!
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
