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New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Three ICU patients die at Jalandhar civil hospital, families blame fault in oxygen supply
CHANDIGARH: Three patients on ventilator support at the Civil Hospital here died late on Sunday night after a sudden disruption in oxygen supply reportedly due to a technical fault at the hospital's trauma centre ICU. The incident has triggered a political storm and prompted the Punjab government to initiate an inquiry. The families of the deceased alleged that their loved ones lost their lives because oxygen supply was snapped due to a glitch in the hospital's central system. They claimed the hospital failed to act swiftly, leading to the deaths. Hospital authorities, however, denied the allegations, maintaining that there was only a temporary dip in oxygen pressure and that backup cylinders were made functional 'within no time.' Medical Superintendent Dr Raj Kumar Baddhan confirmed the formation of a nine-member committee to probe the incident. 'There was an oil leak in the oxygen plant which caused a technical fault and disrupted supply for some time. The issue was fixed, but unfortunately, the patients could not be saved,' he said. Senior Medical Officer Vinay Anand said, 'There was a dip in pressure, but the backup system was activated immediately. The main plant was also restored during the same time.' He dismissed the families' allegations, asserting that 'the causes of death have been documented in each patient's medical file.' Sources said the deceased included a snakebite victim, a young man admitted for drug overdose, and a TB patient — all of whom were on ventilator support at the time of the incident. Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh said a team from Chandigarh would visit the hospital to investigate the matter. 'The glitch happened during a change in oxygen supply. We will wait for the committee's findings,' he added. Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Aggarwal said that an investigation is underway to ascertain the exact cause of death, and any further action will be based on the report's outcome. Meanwhile, Punjab BJP working president Ashwani Sharma visited the hospital and slammed the Aam Aadmi Party-led state government for the incident. 'This is a complete failure of the healthcare system. The government made many promises before the elections but has failed to deliver. A full and transparent investigation is needed,' he said.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Punjab government boosts stipends for medical, dental interns and residents: Harpal Singh Cheema
Chandigarh: Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Thursday announced a major hike in monthly stipends for medical and dental trainees in government colleges, reaffirming the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's focus on improving healthcare and education across the state. In a press release, underscoring the Aam Aadmi Party-led government's unwavering commitment to bolstering the education and health sectors, Cheema on Thursday announced an increase in the monthly stipends for interns, Junior Residents, and Senior Residents across government medical and dental colleges in the state. Finance Minister Cheema said that there are currently 907 sanctioned intern posts, 1408 for junior residents, and 754 for senior residents within Punjab's government medical and dental colleges. He said, "The stipend for interns has been substantially raised from Rs 15,000 to Rs 22,000 per month. For Junior Residents, the new stipend structure will see a rise from the current Rs 67,968 per month to Rs 76,000 in the first year, Rs 77,000 in the second year, and Rs 78,000 in the third year. Similarly, Senior Residents will experience an increase from their current Rs 81,562 per month to Rs 92,000 in the first year, Rs 93,000 in the second year, and Rs 94,000 in the third year." Finance Minister Cheema reiterated the state government's dedication to allocating ample resources for education and health sectors. He said that the annual expenditure on these stipends, currently Rs 204.96 crore, will escalate to Rs 238.18 crore following this enhancement, representing an estimated annual increase of Rs 33.22 crore. The Finance Minister affirmed the Punjab government's resolve to enhance healthcare facilities throughout the state. He also mentioned the recent initiative to provide insurance coverage of Rs 10 lakh to every citizen, further emphasizing the government's focus on public welfare. Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema assured that there will be no scarcity of funds for the continued development and improvement of healthcare infrastructure and services in Punjab.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Samgoli solid waste project caught in political crossfire, says Mohali mayor
Mohali: The much-awaited Solid Waste Management Centre at Samgoli continues to be mired in bureaucratic delays and political wrangling, alleged mayor Amarjeet Singh Jeeti Sidhu on Thursday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Addressing a press conference, the mayor launched a scathing attack on the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab govt, accusing it of turning a critical public health issue into a political tug-of-war. Mayor Sidhu said that while the city generates over 150 tonnes of waste daily, the current waste management contract covers only 100 tonnes. "With no proper dumping ground in Mohali, garbage is piling up at several locations and being temporarily dumped at RMC points, creating a hellish situation for residents," he said. Slamming recent remarks made by MLA Kulwant Singh regarding the Samgoli project, the mayor revealed that of the total 50 acres of land allotted for the waste management centre, 39 acres have already been acquired, and a boundary wall was constructed at a cost of Rs 35 lakh. However, the remaining 11 acres are entangled in bureaucratic delays within the revenue department. Sidhu also said that public-sector giants like HPCL and GAIL conducted surveys and submitted a proposal worth Rs 27 crore for setting up a biogas plant at the site. The project, envisioned under the Punjab Municipal Infrastructure Development Corporation (PMIDC), has been stuck at the department's head office since March 2025. "This is not just a Mohali-specific project," the mayor said. "It has the potential to benefit the entire Gmada cluster, including Zirakpur, Derabassi, Banur, Lalru, and Naya Gaon. Yet, political delays are depriving lakhs of residents of clean surroundings." Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Raising another major hurdle, the mayor said that the proposed site lacks proper road connectivity. Though the rural development and panchayati raj department issued a no- objection certificate (NOC) for constructing a Rs 29-crore access road, no work has begun at the ground level. Deputy Mayor Flags Infrastructure Gaps Echoing the mayor's concerns, deputy mayor Kuljit Singh Bedi wrote a letter to the Punjab chief secretary — who also serves as Gmada chairman — highlighting the lack of access and infrastructure at the Samgoli site. Bedi, who recently visited the location, stated: "There is no proper approach road. A narrow eight-foot wide path, which turns into a kutcha stretch in the last kilometre, is the only way in. No plant, no machinery, not even a proper foundation has been laid — only a boundary wall exists." Calling Gmada's statements "misleading", Bedi accused officials of "feeding lies" to the public. He warned that the issue could soon turn into a full-blown public agitation if swift action is not taken.
New Indian Express
22-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Punjab government, SGPC spar over parallel events for Guru Tegh Bahadur's 350th martyrdom anniversary
CHANDIGARH: The Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the apex representative body of Sikhs, are at daggers drawn over events planned to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur from November 19 to 25 this year. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said that the Punjab government should focus on establishing meaningful memorials in connection with the 350th martyrdom anniversary of the Ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Teg Bahadar, instead of creating a confrontational atmosphere by organising parallel religious events. Dhami said the SGPC had already planned a series of events related 350th martyrdom anniversary a year in advance, beginning in April 2025 from Gurdwara Guru Ke Mahal, Amritsar. Since then, events have been organised across various parts of the country. He said that the Punjab government's announcement of parallel events—overlapping with those planned by the SGPC at Anandpur Sahib—will cause confusion among the Sangat (community) and goes against long-standing traditions He alleged that the government appears to be deliberately trying to sideline Sikh institutions. Historically, centenary celebrations related to Sikh heritage and history have been led by the Khalsa Panth, with participation from all Sikh sampradas and organisations while the governments supporting them.
India Today
10-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Diversionary tactic: Opposition slams AAP as Punjab mulls tough anti-sacrilege law
With the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government considering the introduction of a stringent anti-sacrilege bill in the special session of the Vidhan Sabha starting today, political tempers are rising across the border there is no official confirmation yet of whether the bill will be tabled in this session, sources suggest that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's government is finalising a tough law to curb acts of desecration of holy Sikh to sources, the draft of the proposed legislation includes punishments starting with a minimum of 10 years in prison, extending up to life imprisonment for those convicted of sacrilege. Capital punishment could also be part of the law if such acts lead to communal violence or deaths. The draft also reportedly proposes action against the parents if the offender is a TRAINS GUNS ON AAPDelhi Minister and BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Wednesday accused the AAP government in Punjab of playing politics over the issue of sacrilege."I just want to ask what the Aam Aadmi Party government has been doing for the past three and a half years. This is nothing but a diversionary tactic by the state government. Law and order in Punjab is a mess and the state is under heavy debt. People are criticising this government and AAP just wants to divert the issue through this," Sirsa said while speaking to reporters in AAP MLA from Amritsar North Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh as their "poster boy", Sirsa alleged he was not allowed to speak about the sacrilege issues in the state assembly. Earlier this year, AAP suspended Singh, for five years over his alleged involvement in anti-party Congress Chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring echoed similar concerns, stating, "It is good that a law will be made, but Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has thought about this after three and a half years. Even their battle against drugs took over three years to begin".SACRILEGE SHOULDN'T HAPPEN: AAPResponding to the criticism, Punjab Cabinet Minister Balbir Singh said, "We are working on it and our aim is that sacrilege incidents must not happen. Manjinder Singh Sirsa must focus on what is happening in Delhi."Earlier, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema had also hinted at a tough new law but maintained that the government was not rushing the process and did not confirm when the bill would be tabled."A panel of legal experts is being consulted over framing the law. We will take the opinion of LR (legal remembrancer) and the AG (Advocate General) office. The law will ensure that no person dares to indulge in sacrilege. Our work (on framing the legislation) is not finished yet. When the draft is completely ready, we will share it," Cheema had SAD-BJP government framed a wrong bill and then the Congress regime framed the wrong one. We will not bring a law that requires repeated amendments," he EFFORTS FELL SHORTThis is the third attempt by a Punjab government to enact a strict anti-sacrilege law. Previous efforts by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) government in 2016 and the Congress government in 2018 either failed to secure Presidential assent or were returned by the 2016, the SAD-BJP government had passed the Indian Penal Code (Punjab Amendment) Bill and CrPC (Punjab Amendment) Bill, recommending life imprisonment for the sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib. The Centre, however, returned these years later, the Amarinder Singh-led Congress government expanded the scope by passing similar amendment bills in 2018, adding the Bhagavad Gita, Quran and the Bible to the list of holy books protected under the proposed law. But these too failed to get the President's assent.- Ends
