Punjab govt prepared for emergencies, says minister urges people to stay calm.
Patiala: Punjab health and family welfare minister
Dr Balbir Singh
on Saturday assured the public that the state govt, under the leadership of chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, was fully prepared to deal with any emergency arising from the current tension between India and Pakistan.Addressing a high-level meeting with the Patiala district administration and the representatives of the associations dealing in essential commodities, Dr Balbir Singh urged the people to stay calm and avoid unnecessary panic buying.
He emphasised that stocks of all essential items, including food, fuel, and medicines, were available in surplus."There is no need to get into panic buying. Hoarding will only create unnecessary pressure on the system. The govt has ensured that supplies remain uninterrupted," said Dr Balbir Singh.He also appealed to the citizens not to approach or touch any suspicious object such as drones, missiles, or bomb-like items, and to report such sightings immediately to the police. "Handling such items is the responsibility of the Army, police, and fire brigade," he added.The minister further directed representatives from the sectors, including LPG, petrol/diesel, fruits, vegetables, groceries, and medicines, to avoid hoarding or black marketing, and to spread awareness that supplies were stable and under control.He informed that emergency and ambulance services with life-support systems were fully operational across govt hospitals. Additionally, under the 'Farishtey' scheme, treatment for any war or disaster-related injuries would be provided free of cost in all govt hospitals.Dr Balbir Singh, wearing his doctor's apron at the meeting, stressed the importance of community training in disaster preparedness. He said nursing staff, interns, paramedics, civil defence volunteers, and citizens across Punjab would be trained in first aid, rescue operations, and emergency response.He instructed the director principal of Govt Medical College, Patiala, and the civil surgeon to formulate a standard operating procedure for these trainings. "Our objective is to ease the burden on the Army and police and to keep their morale high by ensuring civilian readiness and self-reliance in emergency situations," said the minister.SSP Varun Sharma assured that the district police were fully prepared to safeguard life and property, while ADC Navreet Kaur Sekhon, representing DC Preeti Yadav, confirmed that all emergency response teams in the district had been fully mobilised.MSID:: 121058446 413 |
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