Covid-19 Deaths: No Data Available On Bodies Dumped In Ganga During Second Wave, Says Govt

TMC MP Derek O’Brien in the Rajya Sabha sought the number of Covid-19 related bodies estimated to have been dumped in the Ganga.

Bodies of suspected Covid-19 coronavirus victims are seen in shallow graves buried in the sand near a cremation ground on the banks of Ganges River in Rautapur Ganga Ghat, in Unnao on May 13, 2021 | AFP

New Delhi: Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti Bishweswar Tudu on Monday said information is "not available" on the number of Covid-19 related bodies claimed to have been dumped in the river Ganga.

The response came after Trinamool Congress MP Derek O' Brien's question regarding the number of Covid-19 related bodies estimated to have been dumped in the Ganga river and measures taken to retrieve them as per protocols.

“The information regarding the number of Covid-19 related bodies estimated to have been dumped in the river Ganga is not available,” Tudu said in a written response to the question in Rajya Sabha over Covid-19 deaths. 

"The incidents of unclaimed/unidentified, burnt or partially burnt bodies, found floating in the river or on the grounds, in the shallow depth, on the banks of the river Ganga was reported from certain districts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in the media," said Tudu in the written reply to the Upper House, according to news agency ANI.

While stating action on the issue, Tudu informed that the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), Ministry of Jal Shakti (MOJS), had asked the concerned state governments to share reports on the bodies found floating and action taken or contemplated for ensuring their proper handling, management, and disposal by the authorities in order to ensure the protection of the river Ganga.

The minister informed that advisories were issued to respective authorities.

"Advisories were also issued by Director General, NMCG addressed to Chief Secretaries of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal and all District Ganga Committees followed by advisories from Secretary, Department Of Water Resources DoWR, RD & GR, Ministry of Jal Shakti to Chief Secretaries of all States/Administrators of all UTs for ensuring proper handling, management and disposal of bodies by the State authorities following COVID -19 protocol and ensuring the protection of the river Ganga," the minister wrote in the reply.

During the second wave of Covid-19, many bodies were reportedly seen floating in the river Ganga in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.