CM Nitish Kumar assures action against alleged gaps in Bihar’s covid testing data

After opposition party members fired at Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar for worst testing statistics, CM assured that action is being taken based on the findings of a news channel probe that revealed inconsistencies in the state’s Covid testing data.

In this regard, the administration sacked nine Health personnel, including five senior officials in Jamui district from where the gaps were exposed. The union health ministry has sought a “detailed report” from the Bihar government on the alleged reports.

RJD MP Manoj Jha and also Bihar leader of opposition Tejashwi Yadav cited the Indian Express reports in the Rajya Sabha meet and demanded “a high-level probe”. Reportedly, the media expose alleging fake entries for covid-19 tests to meet targets followed a pattern of data that swindled massive funds from the state. He questioned the CM to respond to the scam. Despite Nitish Kumar transferring 3 health secretaries, leaders of opposition accused CM led government for faking the numbers and fudging the data.

In response, the Rajya Sabha chairman, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, advised to Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan that the issue “is a subject for inquiry”.