Amritsar, June 30
The production of glucose at government-run Guru Nanak Dev Hospital (GNDH) has come to a halt due to non-availability of raw material, such as corks and seals.A large number of poor patients are thus forced to buy glucose bottle costing about Rs 35-40 from medical stores situated either on the premises or in front of the hospital, which otherwise was provided free of cost in the hospital.

The production of glucose is not being done for last over a month. Now, the department has only the stock required for the emergency services, which would end in a week or so if immediate arrangements are not made by the hospital authorities, said the sources at the plant while preferring anonymity.

The situation has arisen after the reported instructions from the Directorate of Research and Medical Education that the raw material would now be procured by the directorate after inviting tenders. For the time being, it (the directorate) has directed the hospital authorities to purchase the material as per the requirement.

The sources in the department revealed that the Ahmedabad-based company, which used to provide cork to the hospital, had denied entertaining such a small quantity of order as it would prove non-profitable to them. Earlier, the hospital used to place an order of supply of corks worth Rs 1 lakh. But after the instruction, it has reportedly ordered for a very small quantity.

The glucose plant, set up in 1996, used to produce 500 bottles daily for the patients admitted in six medicine, six surgery, three orthopaedic, three gynaecology, two paediatric and two intensive care units, besides various operation theatres and emergency wards of the hospital.

During summers the consumption of glucose increased as the incidence of water-borne diseases, such as gastroenteritis, diarrhoea, etc increases.

“Though the glucose bottles are being provided but not as per the requirement,” said a doctor of a department in the hospital.

Medical Superintendent Dr Karnail Singh, when contacted, feigned ignorance about it.

Dr S.S. Shergill, Principal, medical college, could not be contacted even after repeated attempts.

Batala, June 30
Three youths drowned in canals in Aliwal and Gujjarpura on Wednesday. Sunil Kumar, a resident of Bhatha, and Paramjit Singh drowned in a canal at Aliwal and Lovepreet Singh drowned in a canal at Gujjarpura village.The bodies have been recovered, said the police. SSP Gurdip Singh ruled out any foul play in the deaths.

Tarn Taran: Joginder Kaur (60), resident of Shahabpur village, 8 km from here, was killed, while her son Surinder Singh and grandson Parasspreet Singh were injured when the motorcycle they were riding on was hit by a bus at Balachak village, 15 km from here, late last evening.

The police has registered a case under Section 304A, 279, 337, 338 and 427 against the driver of the bus, Dilbag Singh, resident of Bhullar village.

The police said Surinder Singh along with his mother and son was going to Amritsar for treatment of his mother on his motorcycle when a Abohar-Fazilka private company bus hit the motorcycle from the front.

His mother died on the spot, while he and his son received serious injuries.

Pathankot: One person was killed while his wife sustained injuries in a road accident near Sunder Chak, about 14 Km from here, on Wednesday. Santokh Singh (45), a resident of Amruda locality, was going on a scooter with his wife Ratesh Kaur, when a truck coming from behind hit the scooter. Santokh died on the way to the hospital.

Hoshiarpur: Motorcyclist Gurmeet Singh of Ralhan succumbed to his injuries at Civil Hospital Dasuya on Wednesday. Gurmeet Singh was seriously injured when a speedy truck hit his motorcycle while he was travelling on the GT Road. He was admitted in the hospital where he breathed his last. The police registered a case under Sections 279, 304A and 427 of the IPC against the truck driver.

Tarn Taran, June 30
Seven examination centres have been set up in the district for the smooth conduct of the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET), which was being conducted on July 3 by the National Council For Teacher Education.

Deputy Commissioner Satwant Singh Johal told mediapersons here today that out of these seven centres, six were local, which included SGAD Khalsa Senior Secondary School, S.D. Senior Secondary School, Sewa Devi SD College, Sarhali Road, Majha Public School, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Public School and Sri Guru Gobind Singh Khalsa Senior Secondary School, Sarhali.

The Deputy Commissioner said Section 144 of the CrPC had been imposed within 100 m radius of the centres to maintain law and order.

Hoshiarpur, June 30
Vigilance sleuths of Hoshiarpur, led by Deputy Superintendent Police Baldev Singh, caught Subdivisional Officer Hakam Chand of Sewerage Board Dasuya while he was accepting a bribe of Rs 5000 from department contractor Kailash Bassi of Dasuya in his office on Thursday. DSP Baldev Singh said SDO Hakam Chand had to release a cheque of Rs 1,73500 to the contractor Kailash Bassi for which he was demanding a bribe.

Kailash Bassi approached vigilance sleuths in this connection and a trap was laid. A case under Section 7 (13) of the Prevention of Corruption Act had been registered against the SDO.