India on May 8 for the first time, registered more than 4,077 Covid-19 deaths in just 24 hours, and continued to maintain the 4 lakh infection graph when 403,405 new infections were recorded on the day. Such numbers have consistently remained above the 3000- mark each day reflects the tragedy that has befallen India during the past few months. Most of the deaths arose when hospitals could not admit covid patients due to lack of beds and even those admitted to hospitals could not be administered oxygen. The second wave was expected even as early as September 2020 when eminent health specialists had sounded warnings. However, the Centre, had practically ‘centralised’ all powers through various ordinances such as Disaster Management Act and Epidemic Diseases Act 1897 in tandem to tackle the coronavirus outbreak. These have practically rendered the BJP’s promise of “minimum government and maximum governance” to mere political rhetoric. Under the DMA, the Union home secretary, who is the chairman of the National Executive Committee, has powers to decide on enhancing the preparedness and containment of COVID-19. Even the Election Commission of India is to coordinate its activities under the ambit. There is no doubt that the Centre has been found wanting in the run up to the recent uncontrollable spike in the COVID-19 infections across the country because of the second wave. When covid cases were dropping down from November 2020 to February 2021, the Centre had ‘centralised’ credit but when the second deadly wave hit the nation, it decided to ‘decentralise’ responsibility to the state and local leadership. However, this is not to say that state governments have acquitted themselves well in taking independent action. What is of serious concern is the findings that a COVID-19 variant spreading in India is more contagious and may be dodging vaccine protections, contributing to the country’s explosive outbreak. This was revealed by the World Health Organization’s chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan, a paediatrician and clinical scientist. Soumya said the B.1.617 variant of Covid-19, which was first detected in October 2020, was clearly a contributing factor to the catastrophe unfolding in India. According to Soumya, the B 1.617 is likely to be a variant of concern because it has some mutations which increase transmission, and which also potentially could make (it) resistant to antibodies that are generated by vaccination or by natural infection. Vaccinations in India have almost come to a grinding halt with many states complaining of shortage of vaccines. Soumya also revealed as the virus is replicating and spreading and transmitting at a faster and deadlier rate. She said chances are that the mutations will develop and adapt since the variants, which accumulate a lot of mutations may ultimately become resistant to the current vaccines available. She painted a gloomy scenario that if that is to happen that it will certainly be a problem for the whole world. While there are some within the medical fraternity who do not foresee any such scenario mainly since they firmly hold the opinion that with around 4 lakh daily covid cases, India could likely achieve herd immunity. However, new reports of third wave of the coronavirus that is likely to hit India probably solidifies the warnings issued by various scientists and which the Centre needs to provide needed funds to strengthen health infrastructure across the nation.