Sans power, oxygen plant at Paprola non-functional

Ravinder Sood

Palampur, July 27

Despite the Centre’s instructions for installation of medical oxygen plants in various hospitals, the state government is yet to provide a power supply connection to a plant set up in Rajiv Gandhi Post Graduate Ayurvedic College, Paprola. Due to this, the plant is non-functional. During the second wave of the pandemic last year, a number of persons lost their lives due to oxygen deficiency.

The funds for the purchase of such plants were sanctioned by the Centre. It was the responsibility of the state government to provide space and other infrastructure for the plants. In Paprola ayurvedic college, the oxygen plant was ready in 2021, but the power connection could not be provided till date.

Despite repeated requests by the college authorities, there has been no headway in installation of a transformer and transmission lines in the college complex in the past over one year.

Information gathered by The Tribune reveals that the matter was pending for grant of funds with the state Health Department. A senior officer of the HPSEB Limited said an estimate of funds required for the installation a transformer had been submitted to the department in 2021, but no funds have been released till date.

However, when the matter came to the notice of Kangra DC Dr Nipun Jindal, he said he pulled up the departments concerned and has directed them to ensure power supply immediately to make the oxygen plant operational.

Official bottlenecks to blame

Though the funds for purchase of such plants were sanctioned by the Centre, it was the responsibility of state governments to provide space and other infrastructure for the plants. In Paprola ayurvedic college, the oxygen plant was ready for use in 2021. However, the power connection could not be provided till date due to official bottlenecks.

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