Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Jun 2: Secretary in the department of commerce and industries, M Maheshwar Rao, who also happens to be the district in-charge secretary for this district, said that approval would be given for increasing the hospital beds’ capacity in the district and that the government will also sanction appointment of required doctors and other staff needed to cope with the situation.

He was speaking after presiding over the progress review meeting of the departments at the zilla panchayat hall here on Monday June 1.

Rao said that the government has already planned to increase number of beds in the state by 2,500. "To handle this, we need additional manpower. The government will approve proposals of the deputy commissioners in this respect," he revealed.

In response to complaints that some private banks are not interested to implement the financial assistance scheme announced by the central government to micro, small and medium enterprises, Rao asked the deputy commissioner to hold meeting with the bankers and take appropriate steps. He also advised the officials to conduct review of the issue every week.

Rao asked the officials to register criminal cases against the persons involved with illegal sand extraction. He directed divisional officers to visit private land where allegations of illegal sand extraction have been received and check the same. The deputy commissioner revealed that already cases have been registered in these cases and five vehicles have been seized. He also said that the officials concerned will also face action.

Maheshwar Rao asked the deputy commissioner to keep an eye on the efficacy of treatment equipment for coronavirus cases available in the district and arrange to provide ventilators in taluk hospitals. He asked him to identify private hospitals additional for treating these patients and advised gram panchayats and local administrations to maintain information about people who have come from other states and to monitor their quarantine period.

Deputy commissioner of Udupi, G Jagadeesha, said that the work on providing basic infrastructure for the district COVID laboratory is in final stages and it would be completed in two to three days. He said that once necessary equipment are fitted, throat swab testing will begin in the city itself.

Zilla panchayat chief executive officer Preeti Gehlot, was present.