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 the district to oversee the production and supply of this life-saving gas.While inspecting these plants, Deputy Commissioner Ghanshyam Thori directed to deploy police force at these plants as from now onwards all vehicles carrying oxygen cylinders to be accompanied by police personnel so that this life-support commodity directly reaches the hospitals only. He reiterated that the black-marketing and hoarding of oxygen gas would be highly unwarranted and a stern action would be taken against those found indulged in such corrupt practices.The deputy commissioner clarified that the state government has exempted only nine industries to get oxygen gas and that too on the condition of availability of gas after catering the needs of medical establishments.
He further stated that the supply to these industries could only be made after written approval permission from either of the two nodal officers i.e. Assistant Commissioner Hardeep Singh and Deputy Director Local Bodies Department Darbara Singh.The DC said that the oxygen production, filling and supply procedure would take place in the monitoring of police and civil officials to prevent its hoarding and misuse. He added that a zero-tolerance policy would be adopted in cases, where misuse, black-marketing and hoarding of oxygen gas was reported.Meanwhile, the deputy commissioner directed all the nodal officers to maintain a daily report on the demand, production and supply of oxygen gas in the district to plug lapse in the supply chain, if any. He also interacted with the representatives of these oxygen plants and took stock of the plants' activities besides directing them to ensure adequate supply of oxygen to hospitals on priority basis.Notably, the district hasn't received supply of liquid oxygen from the state of Hariyana, which is why such measures are being taken to ensure sufficient oxygen supply to hospitals from the treatment of Covid-19 cases.