Huge undercounting of Bihar Covid deaths. JD(U) says audit only shows transparency

A huge undercounting of Covid deaths has come to light in Bihar. JD(U) leader Ajay Alok, however, tells Rajdeep Sardesai that the audit only shows transparency.

An audit in Bihar has found about 4,000 Covid deaths that had not been recorded earlier, showing massive undercounting and prompting the Opposition to accuse the state government of lying. India Today TV Consulting Editor Rajdeep Sardesai spoke to ruling JD(U) leader Ajay Alok who says the audit only shows transparency. Excerpts from the interview: Q: Doesn’t this expose the worst-kept secret? Isn’t it a massive and deliberate underreporting of Covid deaths? Bihar is the first state that’s revising its number based on its district-wise audit. The chief secretary himself held a press conference and acknowledged the revised tally. We will also give compensation to those who have died post-Covid. Still, you’re saying that we have been exposed? Does anyone in politics expose himself? Show me one state that’s done what we have done.