Offices to remain closed in six districts of Haryana: CM

Tribune News Service   

Chandigarh, April 24  

CM Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday announced that all government and private offices in six districts of Haryana — Faridabad, Gurugram, Hisar, Rohtak, Karnal and Sonepat — would remain closed, due to rising Covid cases.  

Even the industry has been asked to work in shifts.  

He clarified that no lockdown would be imposed in Gurugram and Faridabad. “The work from home should be followed, wherever it is possible,” he said.  

The CM chaired the state-level Covid Monitoring Committee today.   

“Covid figures have been rising day by day and the government has put all its strength to control it,” he said while addressing a press conference.  

For vaccinating the population above 18 years, the government hospitals would administer doses free of cost. It will cost Rs 880 crore to the state exchequer. However, in private hospitals, people have to pay Rs 600 per injection.  

“The vaccination drive will start from May 1 for people above 18 years. It will be registration-based. People can choose to go at private or government facilities,” said the CM.   

On oxygen demand, the CM said with the help of the Centre, the shortage had been met. “We had raised the demand of 180 MT but are getting 162 MT. In the future, we may need 200 MT for which the centre would be approached to meet the shortfall,” he said.  

“We have issued an order for oxygen from Bokaro through the train. About 6,000 MT oxygen supply would come from there. We will keep oxygen in reserve too,” said the CM. A team has been set up to monitor oxygen supply across the state. New plants will be set up for oxygen production. 

All private hospitals have been asked to reserve 50 per cent beds for Covid patients. Earlier, the reservation was 30 per cent.  

He also informed that at PGIMS, Rohtak, 1,000 beds, and in other medical colleges, 1,250 beds with oxygen had been added. He said that doctors and other staff were being deputed from the Army and an arrangement of 200 beds would be made at Atal Bihari Hospital in Faridabad.  

After 6 pm, the markets have been ordered to be closed. The maximum gathering has been reduced to 50 from 200. The OPD will be limited in all hospitals. 

He said the DCs had been authorized to impose Section 144 of CrPC wherever required. They have been asked to deal strictly where the cases were higher. The procurement centres will be exempted.  

The DCs can decide about liquor shops, he clarified.   

To oversee the expansion of beds and hospitals, IAS officer PK Das has been appointed.   

When asked about more farmers, Khattar said they would appeal them not to join protest sites.