UP govt refutes union’s claim of 1,621 Covid deaths during panchayat poll duty, says only 3 died

The Uttar Pradesh government has refuted the Teachers' Union’s claims of deaths of 1,621 employees due to Covid-19 while on panchayat election duty in UP. The state government puts the figure at three.

The Uttar Pradesh government has responded to claims by teachers' unions in state that 1,621 teachers and support staff have died of Covid-19 while on panchayat poll duty in UP. Countering the claim, the state government has said that only three teachers died during panchayat election duty. The Primary Teachers Association had released a list claiming that 1,621 teachers, instructors, shiksha mitras and employees have died due to Covid-19 in all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh while they were on duty during the state panchayat elections.