In response to a survey conducted by the centre, the young IAS officers across the country have come up with a host of suggestions to deal with the coronavirus outbreak and the resultant 21 day countrywide lockdown.

266 young IAS officers have noted 19 Covid-19 hotspots across 16 states. They have pointed out severe shortage of medical staff, equipment and facilities like ICU beds, ventilators in hospitals, ambulances and oxygen cylinders etc. Not only this, the bureaucrats have also noted lack of quarantine, isolation and testing facilities.

The survey was conducted between 25 and 30 March, where 410 district collectors and IAS officers of batches between 2014 and 2018 registered for the exercise. These officers have served as assistant secretaries at the centre.

In their suggestions, the bureaucrats have sought to encourage the domestic production of testing kits and ventilators. They have suggested more testing centres, with separate facilities in rural areas.

The bureaucrats have also suggested a hike in fiscal spending on health care infrastructure.

The respondents have suggested doing away with the on-going lockdown in a phased manner. They said it should be lifted in states where there no fresh cases of Covid-19.

The bureaucrats also stressed upon the need to spread awareness about the Covid-19 in backward districts and tribal areas.