Bhubaneswar: Taking suo motu cognizance of media reports regarding black marketing of oxygen and life-saving medicine and considering the gravity of the issue thereupon, the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has sought reports from the Chief Secretary, and Additional Chief Secretary (Health & Family Welfare) in the matter by the next date for hearing.
Commission’s Chairperson Justice B K Patel and Member Asim Amitabh Dash passed the order while putting up the matter for hearing on 22 June 2021.
The Commission has also urged upon the concerned Departments to take appropriate steps to prevent any kind of black-marketing of oxygen and life-saving drugs.
It has requested DG & IG of Police to take appropriate measures to ensure that persons indulging in such activities are taken to task immediately.
The Commission has requested the Chief Secretary to ensure opening of Temporary Medical Centres (TMCs) in rural areas at the earliest as declared by the Government keeping in view the situation that the people in the rural area are largely affected by the second wave of Covid-19.
The OHRC has also urged the State Government to follow the advisory issued by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), New Delhi regarding the burial of the dead.
The Commission has sought a compliance report from the State Government in this regard.
The OHRC has put on record its appreciation for the steps taken by the State Government in fixing the rates for general ambulance and ambulance with the life support system.
It has stressed that there should be strict monitoring so that persons in distress and suffering due to Covid-19 and other ailments are not harassed in the hands of any unscrupulous element.
The Commission has also appreciated the roles of different organisations and individuals of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack for providing free oxygen and food to the needy persons during the pandemic and lockdown period.
This philanthropic work needs to be further encouraged, it added.
