Chandigarh, May 1: Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal said that the Central Government has increased the state's oxygen quota to 257 MT, but because of sudden increase in the demand for oxygen, the State Government has further  requested  to increase this quota to 300  MT.  

"Until the supply of oxygen is available as per the demand,  we have to ensure that the oxygen is used in a rationalized manner", directed the Chief Minister. 

He said that given the current situation, a one-month extension of service has been given to the employees of BDPO, Tehsildar and Health Department, who  were  to retire on April 30, 2021.

The Chief Minister said this while reviewing the  present situation of COVID-19 in Haryana with top officers and Deputy Commissioners put in all the districts of the state to monitor the preparations related to COVID-19 through video conference here today.  Health Minister, Sh. Anil Vij also attended the meeting through video conferencing.

Sh. Manohar Lal said that from the last three-four days  the situation in Haryana is fine and the State Government expects the same for the future as well  but at the same time everyone should be prepared for any unexpected situation too.

 “At this time, we have to deal with the problem  regarding availability of oxygen.  For this, a timetable has been made. According to the available oxygen, the district-wise quota has been fixed and its third list will also be issued by tomorrow, in which the quota can be re-revised,” said the Chief Minister.

" On one hand we have to ensure rationalize use of oxygen on the other its  management at local levels should also be ensured," said the Chief Minister.

He said that at present oxygen is being supplied from Panipat, Roorkee and Bhiwadi.  But today  six  tankers have reached in Haryana  out of which four tankers would be used by the State and two  tankers have been sent to Delhi and the empty tankers would be returned to Haryana by tomorrow.

Besides this, many industrial plants have been licensed to produce oxygen for medical use.  51 such plants had applied for licenses, out of which licenses have  been given to 12-15 units, informed the Chief Minister. He further directed  the  Deputy Commissioners to prepare a list of plants producing and filling oxygen.

Sh. Manohar Lal said that the  use of oxygen should also be monitored closely as it has come to notice that  that in some hospitals patients are recovering, but either the hospitals do not discharge the patients or the patients do not want to be discharged.

" In such cases, bed audit of such hospitals will be done.  For this, a committee will be formed in every district," directed the Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister said that some private hospitals are charging higher rates of beds from patients, so the concerned Deputy Commissioner should immediately cap the said rates.

With this the  rates of food items including flour, pulses and vegetables should also be fixed and strict action should be taken against those who are found selling these products above fixed prices.

He said that in districts where there are no oxygen refilling stations,  such  stations should be built at the earliest in such districts.  Besides this, it should be ensured that  defunct s are repaired and used, along with ensuring maximum use of  Ambubag and oxygen concentrators.

Chief Secretary, Sh. Vijai Vardhan, Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. D.S Dhesi, Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Sh.  Rajeev Arora,  Principal Secretary to Chief Minister and Principal Secretary, Information, Public Relations and Languages Department, Sh.  V. Umashankar,  Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister and Director General, Information, Public Relations and Languages Department, Dr. Amit Kumar Agrawal and many senior officials were present.