Chandigarh, April 22: Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal said that adequate arrangements have been made in the state to ensure uninterrupted supply of medicines, oxygen and other facilities to the patients suffering from COVID-19 infection.

He further announced that as a precautionary measure, the State Government has decided to close shops dealing in non-essential items in crowded markets from 6 pm from April 23,2021 onwards.

The Chief Minister said this while addressing a press conference after chairing the meeting of the State Cabinet held here today.

The  Chief Minister while clarifying the queries regarding shortage of oxygen supply in the hospitals said that though some difficulty was reported in the supply of Oxygen to Haryana, Delhi and other states from  Panipat Plant but now the problem has been resolved.

"I have even held detailed discussion with the Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi on this issue," said Sh. Manohar Lal.

The Chief Minister said that a roster has been made for the filling of oxygen cylinders and then loading these cylinders in the trucks from Panipat Oxygen Plant.

"From now on, one truck will be loaded for Haryana and one truck each for Delhi and Punjab.  This entire process at Panipat plant is being closely monitored by me," he added.

The Chief Minister also informed that 170 Metric Tonnes of oxygen is being supplied to Delhi from 10 pm to 6 am today from the Panipat Plant.

Furthermore,  Delhi Chief Minister, Sh. Arvind Kejriwal had also received a call and too expressed satisfaction for the supply of oxygen from the plant, asserted Sh. Manohar Lal.

The Chief Minister further informed that the Panipat plant has a capacity of producing 260 MT  of oxygen per day, out of which 140 MT  is supplied to Delhi,  80  MT is supplied to  Haryana and about  20  MT is for Punjab.

He said that Haryana is also supplied 20 MT of oxygen from Bhiwadi plant in Rajasthan. However, yesterday there was  some problem in the supply. He said that today he will talk to the Chief Minister of Rajasthan.

Responding to a question regarding the current status of  availability of beds with ventilators  for COVID-19  patients in the hospitals across the State,  the Chief Minister said that the facility of  availability of beds has been made online in Gurugram and Faridabad districts.

Besides this, about 500 beds have been arranged at Sgt Medical College, Gurugram, 150 beds are being arranged in the industrial area and 50 more  beds have been arranged today.

Sh. Manohar Lal said that in this hour of crisis,  Indian Army has also taken the initiative of helping the State.  DRDO is also making arrangement of  500 beds each in Panipat and Hisar for COVID-19 patients. Apart from this, talks are also being held with the Army  Commander of Chandimandir and efforts are being made to ensure availability of doctors and other facilities by the army, said the Chief Minister.

Responding to a news item printed in an English Daily regarding wasting of COVID-19 vaccine doses, the Chief Minister said that the news is baseless.

"In Haryana, the wastage of COVID-19 vaccine is only 1.5 percent, which is within the prescribed limit.  Once a dose is opened for vaccination, only 20 to 40 injections are utilised. Sometimes because of difference in number of doses opened and administered also becomes a reason for wastage," he informed.

The Chief Minister while responding to a question regarding  blackmarketing of Remedesivir injection, said that 1000 Remedesivir injections were supplied in government hospitals till yesterday and the supply  will be further increased in government hospitals. However, the private hospitals are making arrangement for this injection at their own levels.

He said that there is a need to create awareness in the society.  Even in an Pandemic-like situation, if someone is doing  blackmarketing,  then certainly strict action will be taken against those involved in this crime.

He further informed that as per the infrastructure facilities offered  in private hospitals, the charges of ventilator beds are fixed from Rs 8000 to Rs 18,000.  If a hospital charges more than this,  then strict action will be taken against such hospital, provided if any complaint in this regard is received, he added.

The Chief Minister further clarified  that this time because of the ongoing Pandemic, no industrial unit would  be shut down. However, the industries which are running their operations in  congested areas, would be asked to follow the prescribed COVID-19 protocols while carrying out their operations.

He said that COVID-19 guidelines have been issued for wedding ceremonies and other social programmes.  As per the guidelines, a gathering of upto 50 people is allowed inside the Marriage Palace, while in outdoor venues, the gathering limit should be only 200 persons.  Similarly,  a gathering of only 20 persons is  allowed for cremation.

Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister and Director General,  Information, Public Relations and Language Department, Dr. Amit Agrawal, Additional Chief Secretary, Excise and Taxation Department, Sh. Anurag Rastogi were also present on the occasion.