/ & *+$))!$$# -.$/01.23"))!$$# )!456#21.23"))!$$#3 RNI Regn. No. MPENG/2004/13703, Regd. No. L-2/BPLON/41/2006-2008 %&(1)$%,*2 001 !0245 023$ 8/)4$":#2 > > ++: ; ; ; < ; ; + : : : ; + + + = @ ; = > ? = 75$ )5 ')/' %%0* 7 )#8#.#6$5#)- )./$ 3# . !45 / # ical oxygen across the country for the management of Covid- nvoking Disaster *. "( " 19 patients, in the exercise of rime Minister Narendra IManagement Act, the Centre powers conferred under the PModi on Thursday held a on Thursday directed States to section of the DM Act, the high-level official meeting and ensure uninterrupted produc- undersigned, in the capacity as ordered the adequate supply of tion and supply of medical oxy- chairperson, National oxygen to all States. Modi can- gen and its transport along Executive Committee, hereby imachal Government on celled his poll rallies in Bengal inter-State borders and said the directs the State and Union HThursday announced to to remain here to attend three District Magistrate and Territory Governments and provide free Covid-19 vacci- urgent meetings on Friday in Superintendent of Police of State and Union Territory nation to people between 18 to view of an alarming Covid-19 the district concerned will be authorities to ensure the fol- 44 years in Government health situation in the country, aggra- held responsible if there is any lowing measures within their institutions. vated by oxygen and medicine violation of its order. areas of jurisdiction,” the Union A decision in this regard crunch across the country. The directive under the Home Secretary said. was taken during the cabinet On Friday, the PM will stringent Disaster Management The order said there meeting held under Chief undertake three-key meetings Act 2005 was issued by Union should be no restriction on Minister Jai Ram Thakur here — a high-level Covid review the prevailing Covid-19 situa- Senior officials informed Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla in the movement of medical oxy- to review Covid-19 situation in meeting, a meeting with Chief tion. the Prime Minister that an the wake of reports that some of adequate and uninterrupted oxygen supply will need to keep gen between the States and the State. Ministers of worst-affected “Tomorrow, will be chair- elaborate exercise was being States blocked supply of med- supply of medical oxygen is an pace with the requirements of transport authorities shall be As part of the ‘liberalised States, and one with oxygen ing high-level meetings to conducted in coordination with ical oxygen to other States important pre-requisite for the States and Union instructed to accordingly and accelerated phase 3 strat- manufacturers. review the prevailing Covid-19 the States to identify their amid sudden spike in Covid managing moderate and severe Territories. allow free inter-State move- egy of Covid-19 vaccination’, For his part, Home situation. Due to that, I would demand for oxygen and ensure pandemic and demand for it. cases of Covid-19 and with the “Therefore, to ensure the ment of oxygen-carrying the Central Government has Minister Amit Shah too cut not be going to West Bengal,” adequate supply accordingly. Bhalla said the availability increasing cases, the medical uninterrupted supply of med- vehicles. made all persons above 18 short his Bengal poll cam- he said. He was briefed on how years of age eligible for vacci- paign, cancelling two of his Instead, he is to address oxygen supply to States is nation from May 1. three meetings to return to people of Bengal virtually on steadily increasing, according “The State Government Delhi for a Covid meeting. Friday evening. to the PMO. ( has decided to provide free of The PM, during the day, India is witnessing an Officials said in the last few cost vaccination to people was briefed on how oxygen unprecedented surge in Covid- days, availability of Liquid between 18 to 44 years in gov- supply to States is “steadily 19 cases which is putting enor- Medical Oxygen has been ernment health institutions increasing”, according to the mous pressure on the country’s increased by about 3,300 MT/ & - from May 1. It has also been Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). already burdened health-care day with contributions from decided that all the govern- “Against the present infrastructure. private and public steel plants, been generated due to which “In these circumstances, ment officers or officials will demand from 20 States of 6,785 Oxygen demand, accord- industries, oxygen manufac- people have approached several we direct that notices be issued !!! preferably get vaccinated in MT/day of Liquid Medical ing to officials, has risen by 55 turers as well as through pro- aking note of the “grim” sit- high courts seeking reliefs to the Union Government, the government hospitals,” said Oxygen, Government of India to 60 per cent in the outbreak hibition of supply of oxygen for Tuation created by the mas- related to the prevailing situa- State Governments /Union an official spokesman of has from April 21 allocated of the second wave of coron- non-essential industries. sive surge in Covid cases and tion. Territories and the parties, ! Himachal Government. 6,822 MT/ day to these States,” avirus pandemic. Officers informed the deaths, the Supreme Court on A Bench headed by Chief who appeared to have The State Government has said a PMO statement. In the meeting, the Prime Prime Minister that they are Thursday said it expects the Justice SA Bobde, which took approached the High Courts to " also decided to provide incen- With a flurry of meetings Minister spoke about the need working together with the Centre to come out with a suo motu cognisance on the show cause why uniform tives to the outsourced lined up, Modi cancelled his to work rapidly on multiple States to operationalise the “national plan” to deal with issue of distribution of essen- orders be not passed by this ! employees engaged in four poll rallies in Bengal aspects which included sanctioned PSA oxygen plants proper distribution of oxygen tial supplies and services, said court in relation to: a) supply COVID-19 pandemic at 200 scheduled for April 23. “increasing production of oxy- as soon as possible. and essential drugs. prima facie it is of the view that of oxygen; b) supply of essen- per shift. In a tweet, Modi said he gen, increasing the speed of dis- Modi directed the officials Observing that oxygen is the distribution must be done tial drugs; c) method and man- It also decided that will not be going to poll-bound tribution & using innovative to ensure that oxygen supply to an “essential part” of treat- in an “even handed manner” ner of vaccination and d) dec- " ! COVID patients under home West Bengal on Friday due to ways to provide oxygen support various States happen in a ment, the SC said it seems that according to the advice of laration of lockdown,” said the isolation would be provided a high-level meetings to review to health facilities”. smooth, unhindered manner. a certain amount of “panic” has health authorities. Bench. !! nutrition kit. ! )*(R **" ! "# " " $%&' ( Covid-19 vaccination centres market. receiving doses from the The price charged for vac- said they have been receiving s the vaccination against Government and charging up cination by private hospitals $#" desperate calls from people to ACovid-19 for those above to 250 per dose will cease to would be monitored, the ven as the health-care facil- collect samples, but unfortu- 18 years will begin across the exist and private hospitals will Ministry said adding that the Eties are under severe strain nately it has become impossi- country from May 1, the reg- procure shots directly from present dispensation where in Delhi and its adjoining areas ble to even respond to all the istration to book appointments vaccine manufacturers. private Covid vaccination cen- PI(M) general secretary owing to the burgeoning num- calls and and collect samples will begin from April 28. The However, according to the tres receive doses from the CSitaram Yechury’s son ber of Covid-19 cases, people from home in due to staff nicians, collection agents and applicants will have to submit Liberalised Pricing and Government and can charge up Ashish died of Covid-19 at a with symptoms of the virus are crunch. even doctors have tested posi- documents as required before Accelerated National Covid-19 to 250 per dose will cease to Gurugram hospital on struggling to get RT-PCR test Moreover, test results are tive. We are overburdened and and there will be no walk-in Vaccination Strategy, Covid-19 exist. Thursday morning after a two- done. Laboratories designated getting delayed, much beyond my team has not slept for five registration for this age group vaccination will continue to be All vaccination (through week battle with the pandem- for the tests are unable to col- 2 days. Holy Family Hospital in days. We are trying everything of people, the Union Health free for eligible population Government of India vaccina- ic. lect samples from homes due to South Delhi has informed the to meet demand,” she said. Ministry clarified. groups comprising healthcare tion centres and other than the The death of the journalist the shortage of staff. sample givers that they will get Abhishek Sharma, a 32- However, the portal for workers, frontline workers and Government of India channel) who would have celebrated his Many laboratories in Delhi reports after three days. Some year-old student in Laxmi this group of beneficiaries will people above 45 years of age in will be part of the National 35th birthday on June 9 was and NCR are struggling to hospitals have put a cap on Nagar, said he developed symp- be made ready by April 24.