As the Coronavirus pandemic sweeps through India, districts are being tapped by the government for timely detection and reporting of cases, and prevention. Our ‘Inside Districts’ series will feature interviews of district and Block-level officials, panchayat functionaries and frontline workers to understand their challenges and best practices.

The Accountability Initiative at the Centre for Policy Research is currently operational in five Indian states. For part seven of the series, our field staff spoke with a Lady Supervisor (who is in charge of managing anganwadi workers) in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. 

The interview was originally conducted in Hindi on 10 April 2020, and has been translated.

Q: When did you first get to know about Covid-19?

Supervisor: I got to know about it in February. We were informed about the virus through a video conference call that we had with the senior officials. 

Q: What are your COVID-19 related tasks?

Supervisor: We are conducting a survey and identifying people who have symptoms like cold and cough, and also who have come to the village from outside. This is being reported to the CDPO (the Child Development Project Officer is a Block-level official in-charge of the ICDS) every day. We are also distributing ration – Take Home Ration  and Supplementary Nutrition Programme. The good thing is that people are following the lockdown and essential services are being provided at the doorstep by the workers. 

I am 62-years-old and just like everyone who is above 60, I have also been asked to work from home. Therefore, I am doing my work at home via phone and WhatsApp. 

Q: Have you observed shortages?

Supervisor: Due to complete lockdown in Bhopal, we are facing a shortage of ration and vegetables. Even PDS shops are closed.