Tribune News Service

Panchkula, June 10

The Panchkula administration has decided to start a vaccination drive for shopkeepers and their staff.

Followed by the vaccination of shopkeepers, a certificate will be pasted outside their shops to ensure the safety of customers.

It will promote business activities and help traders recover losses incurred due to the lockdown, said the district administration.

Haryana Speaker and local MLA Gian Chand Gupta, at a meeting in this regard today, directed Additional Deputy Commissioner Mohd Imran Raza, the Civil Surgeon, Dr Jasjeet Kaur, and BB Singhal, a member of the State Pharmaceutical Council, to formulate an extensive plan for the drive.

He laid emphasis on strict implementation of Covid-appropriate behaviour during the drive. Health officials briefed him about their preparation for a possible third wave, which might affect children.

He was informed that the bed capacity at all health centres across the district had been increased. Saving lives would be their priority, Gupta said.

The local MLA also discussed the issue of overcharging by private hospitals from Covid patients with the district officials. Deputy Commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh told the MLA that the district administration had issued 18 notices so far.

“Hospitals have been asked to rectify the inflated bills by June 18 or face strict action,” the Deputy Commissioner said.