Tripura Cong questions COVID death data, seeks clarification

Agartala: A day after Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Mansukh Mandaviya rebuffed the WHO’s estimate of Covid-related mortalities in India, Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee president Birajit Sinha has demanded clarification from the government over the COVID-19 deaths in the state.

Addressing a press conference at Congress Bhavan, Sinha said, “The WHO in its report estimated that the total number of deaths due to COVID- 19 in India is 47 lakh. But, according to the central government the death toll is around 5 lakh. The people of the country are shocked to know that the central government is trying to conceal facts. Similar is the situation here in our state. People are in the dark about the accurate figures of Covid fatalities in Tripura. I urge the state government to come out clean on the matter. It should also reveal as to how many people received Rs 10 lakh compensation as promised by Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb for Covid-related fatalities.”

Sinha also demanded a clarification from the state government regarding the alleged scam of Rs 231 crore in the state’s RD department. “MGNREGA is a revolutionary scheme launched by the UPA government. The Modi regime is trying to cripple the scheme that has beneficiaries across the country. Amidst all this, some media reported that funds worth Rs 231 crore meant for MGNREGA payment was embezzled. We demand a clarification,” said Sinha.

Speaking at the same press conference, AICC secretary and in-charge of Tripura Szarita Laitphlang said, “The BJP is making cooking gas inaccessible for the poor. The exorbitant rise in cooking gas prices is forcing people to revert to the old firewood-based oven. The prime minister is busy travelling across the globe while the people of his country want a solution to the price rise of essential commodities.”

After the press conference, the Mahila Congress workers, in a symbolic protest, paid ‘Shraddhanjali’ to a garlanded gas cylinder.     

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