This Article is From Apr 08, 2020

Madhya Pradesh Officers Accused Of Dodging COVID-19 Checks, Served Notice

The number of coronavirus cases in Madhya Pradesh rose to 313 with 57 new cases reported in the state on Tuesday.

Madhya Pradesh Officers Accused Of Dodging COVID-19 Checks, Served Notice

Pallavi Jain-Govil held meetings with the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary and other senior officials

Bhopal:

With at least 40 of the 85 coronavirus cases in Bhopal reported within the Madhya Pradesh health department, senior government officials in the state have found themselves under scrutiny over allegations that they sidestepped rules framed to check the spread of the disease.

Among those who have tested positive for coronavirus in the state are two IAS officers Principal Health Secretary Pallavi Jain-Govil and Health Corporation MD J Vijay Kumar besides the Additional Director of Health Dr Veena Sinha.

Ms Jain-Govil had been praised by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan who had said, "It's with assistance from officials like you that we will soon get rid of the infection from the state."

However, the Chief Minister's admiration was not enough to dissuade the state Human Rights Commission (MPHRC) to seek a response from the government over allegations that some top bureaucrats had delayed their hospitalisation despite showing symptoms like to COVID-19.

The commission sent its notice following a news report and tweets by Congress MP Vivek Tankha, who wrote on Tuesday:

The Chief Secretary has been asked by the commission to respond to questions including when the officers mentioned in the news reports were tested positive and why they were not kept in isolation wards.

Pallavi Jain-Govil has been taking part in the meetings that included the Chief Minister, the Chief Secretary and other senior officials. A press release by the government's department of public relations on Tuesday defended her.

"Her son had arrived from the US on March 16 and as per the advisory issued by the Government of India, US was not among the 12 nations listed by the government notification for restrictions to be observed," it said.

"He was tested at the Delhi airport then remained under home quarantine till 30th without any symptoms, he is healthy. After Pallavi Jain Govil tested positive on 4th, after that other family members were tested and none of the symptoms of corona were found in them," it added.

"Guidelines related to coronavirus issued by the Government of India clarifies in patients who have been confirmed to be infected with coronavirus but other symptoms are not reflected, they should stay in quarantine at home and monitor their health. It is told that because Mrs Pallavi Jain does not have symptoms and she is healthy, so she was not admitted to the hospital," the statement said.

As many as 14 senior IAS officers spearheading operations against coronavirus are in quarantine or home isolation including Health Commissioner Faiz Ahmed Kidwai. Besides senior officers, personal assistants and peons are also among those infected.

Sources say the Madhya Pradesh administration is also working on a Plan B by putting a second line of senior bureaucrats to step into the fight against coronavirus in case the need arises.

The number of coronavirus cases in Madhya Pradesh rose to 313 with 57 new cases reported in the state on Tuesday. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said his government will extend the ongoing nationwide lockdown in the state if needed.

World

67,69,38,430Cases
62,55,71,965Active
4,44,81,893Recovered
68,84,572Deaths
Coronavirus has spread to 200 countries. The total confirmed cases worldwide are 67,69,38,430 and 68,84,572 have died; 62,55,71,965 are active cases and 4,44,81,893 have recovered as on January 9, 2024 at 10:54 am.

India

4,50,19,214 475Cases
3,919 -83Active
4,44,81,893 552Recovered
5,33,402 6Deaths
In India, there are 4,50,19,214 confirmed cases including 5,33,402 deaths. The number of active cases is 3,919 and 4,44,81,893 have recovered as on January 9, 2024 at 8:00 am.

State & District Details

State Cases Active Recovered Deaths
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