Karnataka decides to utilise DMF fund to purchase oxygen tankers, concentrators, pulse-oximeters
Bengaluru, May 15: The Karnataka government on Saturday decided to utilise the funds under the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) fund for purchase of oxygen tankers, oxygen concentrators, pulse-oximeters and other emergency medical needs, to fight COVID.
The decision was taken in the meeting presided by Mines and Geology Minister Murugesh Nirani with senior officials, his office said in a statement.
The Minister has now allowed authorities to use the DMF funds to procure oxygen tankers and other medical equipment needed urgently to treat COVID-19 patients, it said.
"The state government will leave no stone unturned in the fight against the pandemic," Nirani was quoted as saying.
As per the decisions taken in the meeting, authorities will procure 10 cryogenic oxygen tankers and two tankers will be provided to each four revenue divisions in the state, and two oxygen tankers will be sent to the coastal region.
The Regional Commissioners will be given the power to manage and monitor the movements of these oxygen tankers in their jurisdictional areas.
Stating that it was also decided to set up oxygen generation plants at ten district hospitals to ensure smooth supply of oxygen to patients, the release said, two each in four revenue divisions and two hospitals will be chosen in the coastal region.
A committee in the Mines and Geology department in consultation with the health department will identify the hospitals to set up oxygen generation plants, it added.
The Mines and Geology department will also procure 1000 oxygen concentrators and distribute them to all the districts.
In an effort to help the patients in rural areas who lack modern health facilities, it has been decided to procure a large number of pulse-oximeters so that the patients can regularly check oxygen saturation level and take necessary steps accordingly, the release said.
The pulse-oximeters will be given to health committees at Gram Panchayat level.
At the meeting, it was also decided to set up a nursing college at Hatti Gold Mines camp site hospital.
This will help address shortage and provide placements to nurses and paramedics at hospitals in Raichur district, it said, adding that apart from this an exclusive oxygen generator plant will be installed at this hospital.
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Russian First Deputy PM Manturov meets PM Modi; discusses trade, energy ties
New Delhi (PTI): Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov on Thursday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties in areas of investment, energy and industrial cooperation.
Manturov, on a two-day visit to India, also held talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
The Russian embassy said Modi and Manturov discussed "specific steps to implement agreements reached" during the India-Russia summit held in December last.
"Particular attention was paid to further strengthening Russia-India trade, economic, investment, energy and industrial cooperation," it said on social media.
In their meeting, Doval and Manturov were learnt to have discussed bilateral defence cooperation besides the evolving regional security situation.
The Russian first deputy PM's visit to New Delhi comes days after India cleared procurement of a fresh batch of five S-400 missile systems from Russia.
The decision to procure the additional batch of five S-400 air defence missile systems was taken against the backdrop of the missile system proving its capability during Operation Sindoor.
The missile system played a crucial role in India's dominance over Pakistan during the May 7-10 hostilities last year.
In October 2018, India had signed a USD 5 billion deal with Russia to buy five units of S-400 air defence missile systems, notwithstanding a warning by the US that going ahead with the contract may invite US sanctions under the provisions of Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
Three squadrons have already been delivered.
In the talks, the two sides are also expected to exchange views on the West Asia conflict and its impact on global economy, especially on the energy sector.
It is learnt that both sides also reviewed the implementation of decisions taken at the summit talks between Prime Minister Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin in last December.
Following talks between the two leaders, India and Russia unveiled a raft of measures including a five-year roadmap to build a robust economic partnership and to increase the annual trade to USD 100 billion by 2030.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov last week lauded India's "independent foreign policy" and said that Russia looks forward to welcoming Prime Minister Modi for a visit this year.
In an address at a conference titled 'India and Russia: Towards a new bilateral agenda', he said the "time-tested" friendship between the two countries is a model on interstate relations based on mutual trust and respect.
