Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, June 8

Local BJP and Congress leaders have locked horns to take credit for the start of work to instal oxygen plant at Sangrur Civil Hospital. BJP leaders have been claiming that state has no role as all equipment have come from the Central government, but Congress leaders say without the support of the state government, the Centre cannot instal the plant.

“The equipment to instal oxygen plant at Sangrur headquarters has come from the central government and it’s funded by PM CARES. We are passing through the toughest time as Covid has badly hit our country. Though the Punjab Government has failed to provide even basic health facilities, its leaders are not trying to befool residents and making baseless statements about oxygen plant,” said Jatinder Kalra, state coordinator of BJP cells.

Sangrur is worst-affected with Covid as its case fatality rate (CFR) of 5.3 percent is highest in the state. As per sources, to date the district has witnessed 799 Covid deaths. Sangrur health block has registered the highest deaths (121), followed by Longowal (116), Moonak (84) and Kauhrian (77). Of the total deaths, 607 deaths have taken place from January to date and 411 occurred in May alone.

“The Centre government is also dependent on state residents. If they send anything to any state, it’s their duty. The oxygen plant has come to Sangrur only with the efforts of the state government,” said Mahesh Kumar Meshi, vice-chairman, Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation.

Sangrur Civil Surgeon Dr Anjna Gupta said: “The plant would be installed in the Civil Hospital and work would start from Wednesday.”

Funded by Centre

"The equipment to instal the oxygen plant has come from the Centre. It's funded by PM CARES. The Punjab Government has failed to provide even basic health facilities."—Jatinder Kalra, BJP leader

State role too

"The Centre is dependent on state residents. It is their duty to work for the welfare of states. The plant is the result of the efforts of the state government." —Mahesh K Meshi, PSIEC vice-chairman