No oxygen shortage in Patiala: DC

Tribune News Service
Patiala, April 26

Amid the rising Covid cases, a team, comprising Patiala Deputy Commissioner Kumar Amit, SSP Vikramjeet Duggal and the ADC (D)-cum-Nodal Officer, visited a plant of medical oxygen today.

At the plant, Jallan Cryogenic, Rajpura, oxygen is generated, stored and transported in liquid form.

‘We are getting oxygen as per allocation’

Asked about the allegations of oxygen diversion by a Chadigarh-based oxygen supplier, Preeti Yadav, ADC (D), said: “We are getting oxygen as per allocation by the government. And no demand is unmet – until now. We are working to ensure continuous and uninterrupted supply to all hospitals and minimise leakages.”

The oxygen manufacturer informed the team that all oxygen at the plant was being used for medical purposes only, and it catered to the districts of Patiala, Sangrur and Barnala. Besides, it supplied medical oxygen to Sohana and the Gian Sagar hospital in Banur.

The manufacturer claimed that the plant had a capacity to produce 700 to 800 oxygen cylinders each day.

The Deputy Commissioner said the district administration would ensure uninterrupted power supply to the plant so as to make it work day and night.

He said an official had been deputed to monitor transport of oxygen from the plant.

Kumar Amit said a special team was keeping a watch on the supply/allocation and availability of medical oxygen in the district.

Preeti Yadav, ADC (D), has been appointed nodal officer for a smooth supply of medical oxygen to hospitals.

Stressing the Covid testing, the DC said people should come forward on their own for testing. The district administration, in coordination with health authorities, had ramped up vaccination.

He categorically denied any sort of shortage of oxygen at Rajindra or any other hospital in the district.

When asked about the allegations of oxygen diversion by a Chadigarh-based oxygen supplier, Dr Preeti Yadav said: “We are getting oxygen as per allocation by the government. And no demand is unmet – until now. We are working to ensure continuous and uninterrupted supply to all hospitals and minimise leakages.”