Amid rising demands for oxygen gas in Covid care centers,Deputy Commissioner Ghanshyam Thori and Senior Superintendent of Police Dr.Sandeep Garg today jointly visited the oxygen generation plants located in thedistrict to oversee the production and supply of this life-saving gas.
While inspecting these plants, Deputy CommissionerGhanshyam Thori directed to deploy police force at these plants as from nowonwards all vehicles carrying oxygen cylinders to be accompanied by policepersonnel so that this life-support commodity directly reaches the hospitalsonly. He reiterated that the black-marketing and hoarding of oxygen gas wouldbe highly unwarranted and stern action would be taken against those foundindulged in such corrupt practices.
The deputy commissioner clarified that the stategovernment has exempted only nine industries to get oxygen gas and that too onthe condition of availability of gas after catering to the needs of medicalestablishments. He further stated that the supply to these industries couldonly be made after written approval permission from either of the two nodalofficers i.e. Assistant Commissioner Hardeep Singh and Deputy Director LocalBodies Department Darbara Singh.
The DC said that the oxygen production, filling, andsupply procedure would take place in the monitoring of police and cityofficials to prevent its hoarding and misuse. He added that a zero-tolerance policy would be adopted in cases, where misuse, black-marketing, and hoarding ofoxygen gas were reported.
Meanwhile, the deputy commissioner directed all the nodalofficers to maintain a daily report on the demand, production, and supply ofoxygen gas in the district to plug lapse in the supply chain, if any. He alsointeracted with the representatives of these oxygen plants and took stock ofthe plants' activities besides directing them to ensure adequate supply ofoxygen to hospitals on a priority basis.
Notably, the districthasn't received a supply of liquid oxygen from the state of Hariyana, which iswhy such measures are being taken to ensure sufficient oxygen supply tohospitals from the treatment of Covid-19 cases