IGMC resumes OPDs, 15 staffers in quarantine

Shimla: The Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) resumed OPD services on Wednesday after 10 days of shutdown. Medical Superintendent Dr Janakraj said the IGMC had put 15 staff members of the hospital, who had nursed three Covid-postive cases, in quarantine for 14 days. People could have registration at the OPDs from 8.30 am to 12 pm on all working days. “People should avoid unnecessary visits to the hospital for minor ailments for which they can get treatment at PHCs and civil hospitals,” he added. The IGMC has also started an e-clinic for patients to avail of consultancy from home. It is also activating a tele-medicine service for people of the remote areas of the state. TNS

Fake FB pages assures of online liquor delivery

Kullu: Some fake webpages on Facebook have been created assuring home delivery of English liquor in Manali and Shimla. State Tax and Excise Commissioner Ajay Sharma said the online sale of liquor was not permitted and these webpages were fake. An FIR would be lodged against people who created these webpages on social platforms. Kullu SP Gaurav Singh said the matter had come to his notice and the cyber cell, Shimla, would take action on it. He said these pages would be deleted from Facebook that had been created for online fraud by a gang operating from Rajasthan. People should remain vigilant and not fall prey to such fraudsters. Liquor shops are closed due to the curfew and the fraudsters have found a way to use this to cheat people. The police said further investigations were underway. OC

72 vehicles impounded for curfew violations

Palampur: The police on Wednesday impounded 72 vehicles for violation of curfew restrictions imposed in Palampur and its adjoining areas. DSP Amit Sharma said that these vehicles plying without curfew passes were impounded and fined. On Tuesday, clear-cut instructions were given, imposing restrictions on the movement of vehicles but still a number of vehicles carrying more than one person without valid permission were spotted, he added. Thursday onward, more stringent action would be taken against the offenders and heavy penalties would be imposed. In case of an emergency, the police had made arrangements for home delivery of goods. Also, police phone numbers could be obtained from his Facebook page or the Covid-19 helpline functioning 24X7. Sharma said there would be no restrictions on vehicles belonging to essential services and mediapersons. OC

Quarantined hospital staff released

Kangra: Six staff members of Shri Balaji Hospital, including Chief Managing Director Dr Rajesh Sharma, who were in 23-day quarantine in the PWD rest house here, were released on Wednesday. Kangra SDM Jatin Lal said the lone coronavirus patient, who later died, was first admitted to the hospital that was sealed and sanitised before being allowed to function. Six staff members were sent to a quarantine centre. The SDM said they would remain in home quarantine till April 19. Meanwhile, 38 youths of Kangra arrived here from Nalagarh after completing 14-day quarantine. Apoorv, Naib Tehsildar, said 20 youths were sent to Nurpur, Indora and Fatehpur and 12 to Palampur and Baijnath, two to Dharamsala, three to Nagrota Bagwan and one reached Ranital. All were provided transport facilities up to their native places. OC

Covid fund renamed

Shimla: The state government has renamed the HP Covid-19 solidarity response fund as the HP SDMA Covid-19 State Disaster Response Fund for contributions, donations, voluntary endowment and grants to fight the pandemic. The decision was taken by the state executive committee and the disaster management authority constituted under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. The previous fund opened under the bank account number 50100340267282 (IFSC code HDFC0004116) with HDFC, Chhota Shimla, and bank account number 39241879383 (IFSC code SBIN0050204) with the State Bank of India, HP Secretariat, will now account for the renamed fund to be operated by the Department of Revenue. TNS

75 Pragpur panchayats sanitised: Minister

Kangra: All 75 panchayats of the Pragpur Development block comprising 59 in the Jaswan Pragpur Assembly segment and 16 in the Dehra Assembly segment were sanitised by panchayat representatives utilising panchayat funds. Industries Minister Bikram Singh Thakur said that Paragpur became the first block in the state where all panchayats had been sanitised. He said that Kangra Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kumar Prajapati had issued directions to the panchayats that they could spend up to Rs 15,000 from the panchayat funds on sanitation and for purchasing masks. The minister praised panchayat representatives, anganwadi workers, panchayat secretaries, patwaris, Deputy Commissioner, Pragpur BDO, doctors, nurses and other paramedical staff engaged in emergency services, risking their lives for their selfless contributions to making the state coronavirus free. OC