FIX RATES OF BEDS, AMBULANCES IN PRIVATE HOSPITALS: KHATTAR TO ADMN

KARNAL: Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday told the Kurukshetra administration to fix the rates of beds and ambulances in private hospitals.

The CM said hospitals should focus on saving the lives of critical patients irrespective of whether they hail from Haryana, Delhi or other states. “In this hour of crises, hospitals should come forward to help people instead of earning money,” he said.

Khattar has been touring all districts of the state to review the Covid preparedness, following a sudden rise in cases in the state. He also directed officials to take strict action against those involved in black marketeering of essential commodities and oxygen.

On private hospitals’ complaints about shortage of oxygen, the CM said there was no shortage of medical oxygen in the state. “Some difficulties are being faced in supply and distribution of oxygen. Allocation of oxygen to all hospitals is being made as per number of patients and occupancy of beds.”

The CM said that the state had created a ₹500-crore relief fund to ensure emergency services in the hospitals.

No procurement during lockdown

The Haryana government has decided to stop the procurement of wheat in all mandis/procurement centres in view of the lockdown in the state from May 3-9 to check exponential surge in Covid-19 cases. “During lockdown, no procurement of wheat will be initiated in any mandis/ procurement centres of the state and no gate pass shall be issued (to the farmers) for the same,” an official statement said here on Sunday.