IAS Officer Pallavi Jain Govil accused of Dodging COVID-19 Checks

Principal Health Secretary Pallavi Jain-Govil was recently praised for working despite testing COVID 19 positive. But the impression everyone had was that she was doing so in full quarantine. However she is now drawing criticism for flouting rules framed to contain the spread of the deadly Coronavirus. Social media is rife with conversations that raise questions about her intent to keep working despite showing signs of coronavirus.

According to the state's Human Rights Commission in Madhya Pradesh (MPHRC), her hospitalisation was delayed despite showing symptoms like those of COVID-19. In fact, she allegedly continued conducting meetings and was not kept in isolation wards.

The commission has reportedly served a notice to the state’s Chief Secretary Iqbal Singh Bains and other top government officials. According to the notice, some IAS officers including Pallavi Jain Govil and health department employees tried to 'dodge' COVID-19 tests. Besides this, it also raised the issue of the delay which the IAS officers and health department employees caused in getting themselves admitted to hospitals despite showing symptoms.

Around 14 senior IAS officers leading operations against coronavirus are in quarantine or home isolation.

Key Takeaways:

• Pallavi Jain Govil is under fire for dodging COVID-19 test and conducting meetings despite testing positive
• Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had earlier praised her for working out of her room in quarantine despite testing positive.
• Madhya Pradesh has reported 313 positive coronavirus cases. A total of 14 people have lost their lives in the state.

MP Principal Secretary Pallavi Jain Govil hid her son's travel history & continued to attend meetings despite symptoms. Now 11 people tested Covid positive per this report. Another report claims, instead of being treated at designated hospital, she is being tested at Guest House! pic.twitter.com/bglBMZNfvo

— Gaurav Pandhi (@GauravPandhi) April 7, 2020

However, the government's department of public relations on Tuesday has released a press release and defended her.

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Press Release

"Her son had arrived from the US on March 16 and as per the advisory issued by the Government of India, US was not among the 12 nations listed by the government notification for restrictions to be observed," it said.

He was tested at the Delhi airport then remained under home quarantine till 30th without any symptoms, he is healthy. After Pallavi Jain Govil tested positive on 4th, after that other family members were tested and none of the symptoms of corona were found in them," it added.

"Guidelines related to coronavirus issued by the Government of India clarifies in patients who have been confirmed to be infected with coronavirus but other symptoms are not reflected, they should stay in quarantine at home and monitor their health. It is told that because Mrs Pallavi Jain does not have symptoms and she is healthy, so she was not admitted to the hospital," the statement said.

Praise by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan recently praised her on Twitter for working despite testing positive. "It's with assistance from officials like you that we will soon get rid of the infection from the state.", he wrote.

Around 14 senior IAS officers leading operations against coronavirus are in quarantine or home isolation. These include Health Commissioner Faiz Ahmed Kidwai. Many senior officers, personal assistants and peons are also among those who have tested positive.

Scenario in Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh has reported 313 positive coronavirus cases. A total of 14 people have lost their lives in the state.

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