Bodies in rivers; polls amid Covid, court criticism: UP Health Minister

Uttar Pradesh has been one of the states hit hardest by the second wave of Covid-19 infections. Apart from shortage of hospital beds and medical oxygen, UP faced issues like dumping of bodies in rivers, and burials in shallow sand at riverbanks. Critics have claimed that a local body election exercise contributed to the surge in cases. The situation led the Allahabad High Court to call the medical infrastructure in parts of the state 'Ram bharose' or 'at god's mercy'. However, the order, which included directions to the state government, was later stayed by the Supreme Court. In the latest edition of The Interview, UP Health Minister Jai Pratap Singh comments on these issues and more, even as the state prepares to go to polls early next year.