Santosh Gangwar complains about COVID situation in Bareilly, tells UP CM officials don't take calls
Bareilly (UP), May 9: Union minister Santosh Gangwar has complained to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath about COVID-19 management in Bareilly, saying officials don't take calls and government health centres send back patients for "referrals" from the district hospital.
In a letter to the CM of the BJP-run state, the Union Labour minister has also complained about the "big shortage" of empty oxygen cylinders and the high prices of medical equipment in his Lok Sabha constituency.
The letter was handed over to Adityanath during his visit to Bareilly on Saturday.
"There are cases in which the patient despite taking a referral and going to the government hospital is asked to go back to the district hospital and get the referral done again," the Union minister said.
"Due to this, the condition of the patient is deteriorating and this is a matter of concern. In this scenario, it is very necessary that the COVID-19 patients are immediately admitted to the referral hospitals in the least possible time," Gangwar wrote.
The Union minister complained that various equipment like multipara monitors and ventilators are being sold in the market at 1.5 times than the original price. He urged the government to fix prices of the equipment.
Gangwar also requested that arrangements should be made so that the COVID-19 patients could be admitted to private hospitals, which should be given facilities given to COVID hospitals.
The Union minister complained that some prominent officials related to the medical field do not take phone calls, causing inconvenience to patients.
He also said that there is a shortage of empty oxygen cylinders in Bareilly. The main reason for this is that many people in the city have kept oxygen cylinders in their homes as a precautionary measure and these are being sold at high rates, he said.
The administration should identify such persons and initiate action against them, the minister added.
The Union minister said on the lines of Madhya Pradesh, 50 per cent discount should be given in the purchase of medical equipment.
He also demanded the setting up of an oxygen plant to meet the shortage of the life-saving gas.
Gangwar suggested that the facility for the registration for coronavirus vaccine should be available at hospitals empanelled under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
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Gold, silver soar as US-Iran deal hopes lift bullion demand
New Delhi (PTI): Gold prices rebounded by Rs 2,900 to Rs 1.55 lakh per 10 grams in the national capital on Wednesday, while silver climbed to Rs 2.54 lakh per kilogram as easing geopolitical tensions triggered a pullback in oil rates, boosting demand for precious metals.
According to the All India Sarafa Association, the yellow metal of 99.9 per cent purity jumped by Rs 2,900, or nearly 2 per cent, to Rs 1,55,400 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes) from Tuesday's closing level of Rs 1,52,500 per 10 grams.
Traders attributed the surge in bullion prices to reports that Washington and Tehran are close to finalising a framework agreement to end months of conflict, raising the prospects of smoother flows through the Strait of Hormuz and easing inflation concerns tied to energy markets.
"Gold rallied strongly on Wednesday as easing geopolitical tensions triggered a sharp reversal in key macro drivers that had recently pressured precious metals," Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst - Commodities at HDFC Securities, said.
Silver prices also advanced for the third straight session by rising Rs 3,500, or 1.4 per cent, to Rs 2,54,500 per kg (inclusive of all taxes). The metal had settled at Rs 2,51,000 per kg in the previous session, as per the Association.
"The prospect of a diplomatic breakthrough triggered a steep decline in oil prices and the US dollar, easing concerns about inflation while boosting demand for precious metals," Gandhi said.
Globally, spot gold increased by USD 106.15, or 2.33 per cent, to USD 4,663.70 per ounce while silver gained USD 3.40, or 4.68 per cent, to USD 76.24 per ounce.
"Gold witnessed a sharp rally as markets reacted positively to reports that the US and Iran are moving closer to a one-page agreement framework aimed at ending the conflict," Jateen Trivedi, VP Research Analyst - Commodity and Currency, LKP Securities, said.
Despite strong international gains, rupee strength limited the upside in domestic gold prices. The market is now highly focused on final confirmation and execution of the proposed deal, he added.
Any negative surprise or breakdown in negotiations could trigger a sharp sell-off in gold, while a successful agreement and sustained ceasefire could push the bullion prices higher in the near-term, Trivedi said.
