The images of scores of funeral pyres burning at Satyanagar crematorium in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack’s Sati Choura during Covid-19 pandemic are still fresh in the minds of the people.
As per the state government’s dashboard data, Covid has claimed 9,204 lives by November 9, 2022. However, the state government on Thursday informed Odisha Assembly that COVID has claimed more than 20,000 lives in Odisha between 2020 and 2022.
The information was shared by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Pramila Mallik while replying to an Unstarred question in the House today. Mallik, however, has not shared the exact number of COVID deaths. But, she shared that the casualties were over 20,000, giving the Opposition an opportunity to train guns at the Odisha government.
BJP today alleged that the state government’s attempts to hide the COVID deaths and Covid-19 management have now fallen flat, and stand exposed. The COVID deaths in Odisha are far more than what has been revealed by the state government. Instead of hiding the truth, the state government should bring out a white paper on the exact number of COVID deaths in the state, demanded BJP.
“The Odisha government is unable to present the exact number of COVID casualties and shared false information. Now when they want to get included in scheme, the state government has come up with the new data on COVID deaths. It will be appropriate if the state government shares the exact data regarding COVID deaths in the state,” said Opposition Chief Whip, Mohan Majhi.
Similarly, Congress alleged that the state government’s mask, of claiming to be number 1 in COVID management in the country, has now fallen off.
“On an average, 20,000 people died due to COVID in Odisha. Today the lies of Odisha government of patting its own back for Covid-19 management has been exposed,” said Congress MLA Santosh Singh Saluja.
Responding to the allegations of the Opposition parties, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Pramila Mallik said, “What list on COVID deaths is with the Opposition? If they have district-wise list, they should submit to the state government instead of making such allegations.”
(Reported by Jagdish Das and Harihar Chand)