Critically Engaging with the Report by IIT Kanpur

Recently IIT Kanpur released a study report, “Covid War, UP Model: Strategies, Tactics, Impact”, in which handling of the pandemic by the state of Uttar Pradesh was analyzed using SUTRA model and mostly data given by the government sources. The report is an exercise to praise the UP government in the manner they handled the crisis of the migrant workers, burden on the health infrastructure and the UP economy through various medical and non-medical interventions. Considering that the report whitewashes the ground reality, we have critically examined the whole report, brought out the internal inconsistencies and presented our own analysis. Contrary to the IITK report, we argue that (a) livelihood of the citizens of UP, especially the marginalized and migrant worker population were adversely impacted, (b) the UP government failed in augmenting the healthcare infrastructure, (c) the dead counts and (d) the SUTRA model is fundamentally flawed. We would like to register that this preposterous exercise of giving clean chit to the model and the UP government shall Not be in Our Name.

Regards,

IIT Kanpur Citizen's Forum

Hamara Manch

Attachments:

1. Overview of the Critique Report

2. Complete Critique Report