Congress, which is part of the ruling alliance in Jharkhand, will undertake a month-long door-to-door outreach programme across the state to study the impact of the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic and ascertain the extent of infections and fatalities at a time when several national and international media reports have accused India of under reporting Covid deaths.

State party spokesperson Alok Dubey said a blueprint of the exercise was ready and workers would hit the streets by the end of this week. “We are involving 5,440 party workers comprising MLAs, MPs and others for the exercise, setting a target to reach out to 10 lakh households. The survey will be for one month. In terms of population, we are aiming to reach out to 40 lakh people,” he said.

In Jharkhand, 5,089 people have succumbed to Covid-19 since its outbreak in March last year, but more than 70 per cent of the fatalities occurred during the second wave that began in April this year. Of the 3.43 lakh total infections so far, more than 2 lakh cases pertain to the second wave. Even though Covid cases are on the decline since early June, prompting the Hemant Soren government to gradually allow resumption of business activities,the state machinery is on guard against the apprehended third wave.

As per the state health department’s intensive public health survey (IPHS), conducted from May 25 to June 5, covering 2.63 crore rural residents, the second wave of infections did not have a major impact on Jharkhand’s hinterlands. Barely 1,000 people among those surveyed tested positive.

The Congress has, therefore, decided to conduct its own independent survey across 260 blocks of all 24 districts to evaluate the impact of the virus and submit a report to the state government. The move, sources said, was a part of a nationwide survey which the party had decided to conduct.

Dubey said, “The idea is to ascertain the number of those who were infected by the virus, deaths, current status of households that have lost an earning member, financial status, etc. The report will be tabled before the government with recommendations.”

Dubey said the purpose of the survey was to help the state government get a correct picture of the extent of the spread of the pandemic and plan welfare measures accordingly.

State Congress president and finance minister Rameshwar Oraon had gone to Delhi on Tuesday to meet the party high command to discuss the modalities of the survey. He is expected to return by Friday after which the survey will be initiated. Oraon, who tested Covid positive last year, will also undergo a health check-up during his stay in the national capital.