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Even as Maharashtra continues to be the worst affected state, Sonia Gandhi says she is satisfied with the way MVA govt handled the Covid-19 crisis

OpIndia Staff
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Even as Maharashtra continues to be the worst affected state, Sonia Gandhi says she is satisfied with the way MVA govt handled the Covid-19 crisis

India is staggering under the resurgent wave of the COVID-19 outbreak, with over 3.6 lakh cases reported on Wednesday and more than 3,200 fatalities. A lion’s share of this devastation could be chalked up to the western state of Maharashtra, which has so far racked up 4.34 million cases and over 65,000 deaths. The state has been consistently adding more than 50,000 new cases daily in the last couple of weeks. But for Sonia Gandhi, the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra is doing just fine.

The interim Congress president on Tuesday said that she is satisfied with the way the Maharashtra government has handled the COVID-19 outbreak in the state. Lavishing praises on the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, in which Congress is an alliance partner, Sonia Gandhi said she is pleased with the “professional and transparent handling of the pandemic”. This was revealed by state revenue minister Balasaheb Thorat, who is also the state Congress chief.

“Sonia Gandhi spoke to me at length on state government measures to tackle the situation. She expressed satisfaction over handling the crisis. She instructed that the vaccination drive should be expedited and vaccinations should be completed in a time-bound period,” Thorat said in an interview with the TOI.

While Sonia Gandhi expressed her satisfaction over the way Maharashtra handled the COVID-19 outbreak and reportedly urged Balasaheb Thorat to speed up the vaccination process, it is pertinent to note that Maharashtra is yet to take a decision on the vaccination drive for the population aged 18-45 that is set to begin from May 1.

A cabinet meeting is scheduled to take on Wednesday during which the Maha Vikas Aghadi government will take the decision over starting the vaccination drive for the people in the age group of 18-45.

Even as Sonia Gandhi lauds the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, there have been several instances when the state government has come under criticism for inept handling of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Migrant labours in Maharashtra left in the lurch as lockdown forces them to repatriate back to their villages

For over a month now, Maharashtra has been virtually under lockdown. While Uddhav Thackeray announced strict restrictions and imposition of Section 144 starting April 15, the state was almost under lockdown since April 3 as the coronavirus caseloads started rising at an alarming rate.

The specter of another wave of lockdown triggered a palpable sense of panic among the migrant population that was arguably the worst hit by the pandemic when it started in March last year. There was growing anxiety among the migrant labour in the city as they queued up at various bus stands and railway stations to board buses and trains to get back to their native places before the imposition of an inevitable lockdown. The migrants were left to fend for themselves as the Maha Vikas Aghadi did not announce relief measures for them before announcing the lockdown.

Shortages of beds, oxygen, and key antiviral drugs in Maharashtra

The situation in Maharashtra is particularly dire, with cities across the length and breadth of the state reporting an upsurge in coronavirus cases. Hospitals throughout the states have been swamped with COVID-19 patients as the state government scrambles to get private institutes and other medical centers to admit coronavirus patients.

The surge in coronavirus caseloads in Maharashtra also meant that the state is facing acute shortages in the availability of supplemental oxygen. Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray yesterday pointed out the scarcity of oxygen during his address to the state.

Testing backlog in Maharashtra in the wake of a sharp uptick in the COVID-19 cases

Even testing capabilities are under tremendous strain due to the inexorable rise in a number of coronavirus cases. Many testing centres have been witnessing serpentine queues as people suspicious of being infected are lining up to get themselves tested for Covid-19.

This has naturally created a backlog in testing at several laboratories across the state. The spike in Covid-19 cases precipitated by the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic and state guidelines mandating negative RT-PCR tests for those working in public transportation, home delivery services, film shoots, roadside eateries, and other categories have likely played a crucial role in exacerbating the testing backlog in the state.

The routine occurrence of hospital mishaps in Maharashtra

In a distressing event, an ambulance was found ferrying 22 dead bodies of Covid patients stashed one above the other from a hospital to the crematorium in Ambajogai in the Beed district of Maharashtra. 

Also, the condition of the state’s health infrastructure is worsening by the day. Thane district of Maharashtra reported yet another case of hospital fire in the wee hours of Wednesday. 3 patients are said to have succumbed after the fire engulfed the hospital.

Several hospitals in Maharashtra have reported fire incidents recently, killing dozens of people. Last week, a fire in a Virar hospital had killed 13 persons, a day after the leakage in an oxygen tanker took 23 lives at a hospital in Nashik.

Maharashtra: Fire breaks out in pharma company in Ratnagiri district, no casualties reported

OpIndia Staff
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Maharashtra: Fire breaks out in pharma company in Ratnagiri district, no casualties reported

Hours after a massive fire claimed four lives in Thane hospital, a fire broke out in a pharmaceutical company, MR Pharma in Ratnagiri’s MIDC.

The fire has now been extinguished. As of now, no injuries or casualties are reported.

This is fifth such fire incident in Maharashtra in past one month. Earlier fires have been in hospitals where some COVID as well as non-COVID critical patients lost their lives.

Maharashtra govt had fired 25% of contractual health workers in January thinking Covid-19 is over, faces shortage of staff now

OpIndia Staff
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Maharashtra govt had fired 25% of contractual health workers in January thinking Covid-19 is over, faces shortage of staff now

The Maharashtra government in January this year laid off 25 percent of contractual health staff with a one-day termination notice thinking the Covid-19 crisis is over. As the cases in the state began to decline, the MVA government asked the health workers who were hired on a contract basis during the month of April last year under the National Health Mission to leave abruptly. 

This move made them ineligible for the vaccination drive that was to begin for the frontline workers. Pramod Kate, president of Corona Yodha Karamchari Parishad said, “We came to work as the chief minister had made an appeal for people to come forward and help. At that time, permanent staff at the hospitals were not turning up for their work, but we didn’t care for our families and worked with Covid patients. What we are getting in return is one day notice before termination. We demand the government to reinstate us and give permanent jobs,” added Kate. 

Out of these 10,000 contractual staff members, 1,000 were employed at various hospitals in Mumbai while more than 5000 were hired in East Vidarbha. 

Pooja Doiphode,who worked with BMC’s E ward as a multi-purpose worker narrated, “When we joined, we had put our families at risk. Many of us also tested positive for Covid-19. We worked at a time when nobody was ready to come out of their houses. We spent hours in PPE kits and moved Covid positive bodies. We deserve a dignified treatment rather than asked to leave when requirement is over.”

The health workers were appointed in the categories of doctors, anesthesiologists, medical officers, hospital managers, nurses, x-ray technicians, ECG technicians, laboratory technicians, drug manufacturers, storekeepers, data entry operators, ward boys to manage the influx of patients at Covid-19 hospitals and Covid care facilities. 

The workers had staged several protests across the state demanding permanent employment for their uninterrupted and selfless service. 

The contractual health workers staged a protest in January at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan

Maharashtra faces shortage of staff

However, the layoff backfired for the government as the state was starved of the healthcare workforce with the advent of the second wave of the coronavirus.

Maharashtra which was one of the states to be hit by the sudden surge in new coronavirus cases first is facing an acute shortage of healthcare workers currently. 

Union Health Minister Rajesh Bhushan raised an alarm with the Maharashtra government over its unsatisfactory performance early this month. The minister wrote to the state of Maharashtra to accelerate the hiring of contractual workers. “Acute shortage of healthcare workforce has been reported by the teams from Aurangabad, Nandurabar, Yawatmal, Satara, Palghar, Jalgaon, Jalna Districts,” he informed in the letter.

Read- Maharashtra suffers as MVA leadership sinks to low-level politics in crisis

Bhushan also criticized Maharashtra’s lethargic approach towards the second wave of the pandemic. Basis feedback received from the central team, Bhushan wrote, “Containment operations were found to be sub-optimal in Satara, Sangli and Aurangabad, with less than satisfactory perimeter control…Efforts at surveillance and contact tracing were found to be sub-optimal in Buldhana, Satara, Aurangabad and Nanded, mostly due to limited manpower engaged in this task.”

Maharashtra reported 66,358 new coronavirus cases and 895 fatalities on Tuesday taking the total death toll to 66,179. 

CM of India’s richest state yet to take decision on free vaccines as the nation gears up for Chinese coronavirus vaccination

OpIndia Staff
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CM of India’s richest state yet to take decision on free vaccines as the nation gears up for Chinese coronavirus vaccination

The confusion around Maharashtra’s vaccination drive continues to loom with the MVA leaders sharing fragmented updates. 

On Tuesday Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar informed that a decision over whether the state government will allow free administration of the Covid-19 vaccine to all residents above the age of 18 is yet to be taken by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. 

“I have signed a proposal for free vaccines. The chief minister will decide based on the interest of the people. Tomorrow, in the cabinet meeting, we will discuss the issue of global tenders for vaccine procurement,” Pawar said in a media interaction. 

With just three days to go for the commencement of the Phase 03 vaccination drive in India, the MVA government is likely to take a decision in this regard by 12:30 pm this afternoon. 

Aditya Thackeray retracts Tweet

Adding to the confusion, Shiv Sena yuva leader Aditya Thackeray on April 25 had announced through Twitter that the government of Maharashtra has decided to vaccinate its citizens free of cost. The tweet read, “This is not something we think of as a choice, but a duty that we consider of utmost importance.”

Aditya Thackeray’s deleted Tweet on vaccines

The Tweet was deleted within a span of 30 minutes. Aditya Thackeray soon put out another Tweet apologizing to the citizens for creating confusion and said, “The official policy of vaccination will be declared by the empowered committee and we must await it’s recommendation for a fair policy for all sections of society.”

Maharashtra might witness a delay in vaccination drive

In another update, the BMC on Tuesday announced that inoculation of beneficiaries from the 18-44 age group will be carried out only at private vaccination centres in Mumbai.

Registration for vaccination for all those aged 18-44 years will begin at 4 pm today, however, the citizens of Maharashtra are yet not sure whether or not do they have to pay for the vaccine dose when made available. 

The state health officials also cited a possibility of delay in commencing the Phase 03 vaccination due to the ongoing shortage of vaccine doses. Mumbai’s jumbo Covid-19 vaccination facility was seen shut today due to the non-availability of the stock.

The centre will open for vaccination as soon as the stock is replenished, informed the BMC.

BJP MLAs demand Tripura DM’s suspension over wedding raid till investigation is completed, CM Biplab Deb asks for report

OpIndia Staff
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BJP MLAs demand Tripura DM’s suspension over wedding raid till investigation is completed, CM Biplab Deb asks for report

As many as 5 BJP MLAs have written a letter to the Chief Secretary of the state Manoj Kumar to demand immediate suspension of West District Magistrate Shailesh Kumar Yadav for his “absolutely boorish” and “uncultured behaviour” in two marriage parties in the name of enforcing COVID protocol.

“We the members of Tripura Legislative Assembly would like to draw your attention to absolutely boorish and uncultured behaviour DM (west) Shailesh Kumar Yadav and the state terrorism indulged by him last night in the ‘Manikya Court’ and ‘Golap Bagan’, in the name of enforcing COVID protocol though both the marriage parties were being organised in full compliance with the COVID protocol notified by Centre and DM (West)”, the letter informed.

The letter was signed by five ruling BJP MLAs—Dibachandra Hrangkhwal,  Ashish Kumar Saha, Ramprasad Paul, Sushanta Chowdhury, and Ashis Das.

The letter by the BJP MLAs

The five MLAs, in their letter, alleged that DM Shailesh Kumar Yadav had himself given permission for both the wedding ceremonies with the conditions that not more than 50 people can attend the marriage and four vehicles each would be allowed for which car passes had been issued. The letter alleged that both the marriages were conducted in full compliance with the COVID-19 protocols and regulations notified by the Centre and the state government and yet the DM raided and physically assaulted and abused the people, including the bride and the groom.

“But the DM with his security guards suddenly materialized in the marriage halls and started threatening and intimidating all and sundry including elderly people as to why they were organizing the marriage party in violation of COVID protocol. When the letter of permission given earlier by the DM was produced Shailesh Yadav tore it up on the face of those attending the marriage party”, it reads.

It further said, “…Shailesh Yadav physically assaulted the bride & groom, physically pushed out the elderly priest and also jostled all elderly people using vile abuses. He also openly abused the police personnel, manhandled police on uniform and declared that he would have the officer-in-charge of West Agartala police station suspended. Finally he proclaimed that all those present in the marriage parties would be proceeded against under different sections of IPC and CrPc. Even the women present on the occasion were not spared from misbehaviour by the DM (west).”

The letter by the BJP MLAs

The letter alleged that all the guests, including women were taken to the police station and when the arrests were being made, not a single women police officer was present at the spot, violating the order of Supreme Court that no women can be arrested in the midst of night.

“We urge upon your kind self to order a high-level investigation into the matter and suspend Shailesh Yadav from service pending completion of investigation. This is urgently needed in public interest before Shailesh Yadav who is unfit to hold the responsible post of DM is removed from this post,” the MLAs demanded.

Chief Minister Biplab Deb has taken cognizance of the incident and instructed the Chief Secretary to submit a report of the entire matter.

Tripura DM Shailesh Yadav raids wedding, thrashes guests, beats up Purohit, grabs groom by collar

In a brazen display of highhandedness, Tripura West District Magistrate (DM) Dr Shailesh Kumar Yadav on Monday was seen dragging a groom and a priest by their collar, thrashing the guests, while ordering the police to arrest them all for violating COVID-19 norms. The incident reportedly happened at around 11 pmat Manikya Court in Palace Compound, North Gate area in Agartala, Tripura.

In a video that went viral on social media, Yadav enters a hall where a wedding ceremony was underway. Yadav in a firm voice orders attendees to vacate the hall. “Chalo bahar niklo”, says the West DM Yadav and the state police officials accompanying him threaten the guests to leave or face consequences.

Speaking to the media, Yadav said that all the people assembled at the wedding hall had violated prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC and would be prosecuted under Section 188 of the IPC.

Following the incident, Shailesh Kumar Yadav ordered the closure of two marriage halls in Agartala, for flouting COVID-10 norms, for 1 year and the suspension of the Officer-in-Charge of the West Agartala police station for being hand in gloves with the flouters.

Tripura DM brazens out his decision of thrashing guests at wedding before eventually apologising for the same

Tripura West District Magistrate (DM) Dr Shailesh Kumar Yadav came under criticism from several quarters, especially for his use of force against the guests who had come to attend the wedding. However, unfettered by the blowback, Yadav was later seen brazening out his decision of thrashing guests at the wedding. He invoked ‘principles of natural justice’ when questioned regarding the atrocious conduct with the guests.

However, as the situation got out of control, the District Magistrate tender his apologies for the incident. “If anyone got hurt due to my action, I am apologising for that. I have done this for the larger interest of society and the people. I have taken the strict action to give a message to the people to maintain the government SOP,” Yadav told local television on Tuesday night.

LG Anil Baijal becomes the ‘government’ in Delhi as Centre notifies amended GNCTD Act: Details

OpIndia Staff
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LG Anil Baijal becomes the ‘government’ in Delhi as Centre notifies amended GNCTD Act: Details

As New Delhi, India’s sprawling capital of over 20 million people is in the midst of a catastrophic COVID-19 outbreak, lieutenant governor (L-G) Anil Baijal is now the ‘government’ in the Union territory after the Centre notified the amended Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2021 on Tuesday.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act 2021 (15 of 2021), the Central Government hereby appoints the 27th April 2021 as the date on which the provisions of the said Act shall come into force,” the notification signed by additional secretary in the MHA, Govind Mohan, said.

GNCTD Act notified

According to the Act, the government in Delhi means the ‘Lieutenant Governor’ and it is incumbent now on the Arvind Kejriwal government to seek the opinion of the Lt Governor before taking any executive action in the city.

The bill was passed in the parliament last month—Lok Sabha on March 22 and Rajya Sabha on 24. It is brought into force in the wake of the deteriorating coronavirus crisis in the city, where people are struggling to find beds, oxygen supply is running short and there is shortages of key life-saving drugs.

Provisions of Government of NCT of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2021 

The new law states that the Delhi assembly continues to make laws on all subjects in the state list and concurrent list except public order, police and land. Under the new law, the Delhi government will now have to seek the lieutenant governor’s opinion before any executive action after the passage of the bill.

The new law says, “When a bill has been passed by the legislative assembly, it shall be presented to the lieutenant governor and the lieutenant governor shall declare either that he assents to the bill or that he withholds assent therefrom or that he reserves the bill for the consideration of the president.”

The law also proscribes chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and Delhi government to make any rule to enable itself or its Committees to consider the matters of day-to-day administration of the Capital or conduct inquiries in relation to the administrative decisions.

The amended law gives discretionary powers to the L-G even in matters where the Legislative Assembly of Delhi is empowered to make laws. The GNCTD (Amendment) Act, 2021 also ensures that the L-G is “necessarily granted an opportunity” to give her or his opinion before any decision taken by the Council of Ministers (or the Delhi Cabinet) is implemented.

Shocking visuals emerge after a massive earthquake hits Assam

OpIndia Staff
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Shocking visuals emerge after a massive earthquake hits Assam

On April 28, a powerful earthquake measuring 6.4 on Richter Scale hit Assam and other parts of Northeast India. Two strong aftershocks were also reported within minutes. Reports suggest that the epicentre of the earthquake was Tezpur, Assam. The tremors were felt in the Northeast extended up to North Bengal.

National Centre of Seismology said that an earthquake of Magnitude 6.4 originated in Sonitpur, district Tezpur, Assam, at 17 KM. The first tremor was recorded at 7:51 AM. So far, NCS has reported five aftershocks of magnitude 4.7 at 8:03 AM, magnitude 4 at 8:13 AM, magnitude 3.6 at 8:25 AM, magnitude 3.6 at 8:44 AM and magnitude 3.2 at 10:05 AM.

Visuals of the damage emerge on social media

Soon after the earthquake, the social media platforms were filled with visuals of the damage caused by the earthquake.

A road in Sonitpur, the epicentre of the earthquake, developed a crack due to the impact.

Reports suggest that the earthquake lasted for 30 seconds.

A building in Nagaon tilted against its adjacent building.

Part of Bhairabkunda hill in Udalguri district in Assam broke away after the earthquake.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi contacted Assam CM Sonowal to take updates. In a tweet, he said, “Spoke to Assam CM Shri @sarbanandsonwal Ji regarding the earthquake in parts of the state. Assured all possible help from the Centre. I pray for the well-being of the people of Assam.”

CM Sarbananda Sonowal said, “Big earthquake hits Assam. I pray for the well-being of all and urge everyone to stay alert. Taking updates from all districts.”

Home Minister Amit Shah said, “Have spoken to the Chief Minister of Assam, Shri Sarbanand Sonwal ji, to assess the condition in different parts of the state after an earthquake. The central government stands firmly with our sisters and brothers of Assam. Praying for everyone’s safety and well-being.”

Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also tweeted about the quake. He said, “Just experienced a massive earthquake in Assam. Waiting for details”.

So far, no causalities have been reported.

Congress corporator accompanied by Maha INC chief threatens govt employees, says they deserve to be ‘burned down’

OpIndia Staff
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Congress corporator accompanied by Maha INC chief threatens govt employees, says they deserve to be ‘burned down’

As the health crisis tightens its grip around Maharashtra, the MVA leaders are seen causing disruption and intimidating the frontline warriors. 

In the latest incident as reported by Times Now, Nagpur Congress corporator Bunty Shelke along with Maharashtra INC Chief Nana Patole stormed into Nagpur’s Municipality Corporation’s office threatening and misbehaving with the employees. Citing inefficiency of the employees as the reason for his violent behavior, Shelke went ahead to make a dastardly statement. 

In the presence of the Pradesh Congress Committee chief Nana Patole, Shelke claimed that the workers ‘deserve to be burned down’ for their incompetence. 

Whether or not any action will be taken against the Congress corporator for his misbehavior and alleged attempt to disrupt work at such critical times is to be seen. 

Last week a Shiv Sena corporator from Mumbai’s suburbs was seen creating a ruckus at a Covid-19 hospital. Sandhya Doshi who was accompanied by a person with no mask was seen humiliating the hospital staff and accusing a doctor on duty for allegedly not “talking properly” to a patient she knew. 

Sonia Gandhi happy with MVA

Meanwhile, Congress President Sonia Gandhi praised the Maha Vikas Aghadi government for its ‘professional and transparent handling’ of the coronavirus crisis. 

She expressed satisfaction over the performance of the MVA informed Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat.

Maharashtra’s health infrastructure crumbles

Maharashtra has reported 66,358 new coronavirus cases and 895 fatalities on Tuesday taking the total death toll to 66,179. 

In a distressing event, an ambulance was found ferrying 22 dead bodies of Covid patients stashed one above the other from a hospital to the crematorium in Ambajogai in the Beed district of Maharashtra. 

Also, the condition of the state’s health infrastructure is worsening by the day. Thane district of Maharashtra reported yet another case of hospital fire in the wee hours of Wednesday. 3 patients are said to have succumbed after the fire engulfed the hospital.

Several hospitals in Maharashtra have reported recent fire incidents, killing dozens of people. Last week, fire in a Virar hospital had killed 13 persons, a day after leakage in oxygen tanker took 23 lives at a hospital in Nashik.

Uttar Pradesh: Dr Altamash, Akram, Jazib Ali arrested for black marketing Remedisvir, 70 injections, Rs 36 lakh recovered

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Uttar Pradesh: Dr Altamash, Akram, Jazib Ali arrested for black marketing Remedisvir, 70 injections, Rs 36 lakh recovered

On April 27, Ghaziabad Police and a Crime Branch team arrested renowned neurosurgeon Mohammad Altamash and two associated with black marketing Remdesivir injections in the Delhi-NCR region. As per reports, Dr Altamash, resident of Hazrat Nizammudin, has served at AIIMS for a long time and runs a clinic in Ghaziabad.

The Police recovered 70 Remdesivir injections, two Actemra injections and 36 lakh rupees in cash from his possession. The Police also seized a luxury car owned by Dr. Altamash.

Sanjay Pandey, in charge of Crime Branch, said in a statement that they had received information about a gang of doctors three days ago. A victim had approached them and informed them that he had bought an injection from this gang for Rs.48 thousand. Following the information, the Police started surveillance. They caught one associate of Dr Altamash, identified as Kumail Akram, a resident of Kaila Bhatha. Upon interrogation, they found that a man identified as Jazib, resident of Induwada, had provided him injection at a reasonable price from Delhi. Police then arrested Jazib, who told them about the involvement of Dr Altamash in the racket.

The doctor threatened Police with high-profile contacts

When the Police caught Dr. Atlmash red-handed, the accused doctor tried to threaten the Police with his high-profile contacts. He told the Police that he has relations with all the prominent leaders in the country and ministers at central government. However, when the Police showed some strictness, all the arrogance went away. He not only confessed to the crime but also directed the Police towards a consignment of the life-saving drug in his car. The Police seized the drugs and his vehicle.

Injections sold for up to Rs.50,000

Sandeep Kumar Singh, Chief Police Officer, City, said that the doctor used to get the drugs from AIIMS in his name and forwarded them to his associates. Accused Jazib and Kumail used to sell these injections in Ghaziabad, Noida, Faridabad and Gurugram. He adds that for every injection, they used to charge Rs.40 thousand to Rs.50 thousand.

The police officials had posed as prospective buyers to nab the doctor and his associates. Some plainclothes officer had contacted one of the accused and has told that they need 70 Remdesivir injections. A price of Rs 38,000 per injection was agreed. The accused was caught when he came to deliver the injections.

Dr Altamash reportedly is quite famous and influential in the area. He used to appear in TV as a health expert too.

Rs.36 lakh earned in a day

According to Police reports, the doctor had earned Rs.36 lakh 10 thousand in just one day by selling Remedesvir in the black market. Apart from this, he also gave around Rs.50 lakh to other people. He had raised all the money by black marketing life-saving drugs. Police suspect that there are other officials and employees at AIIMS who might be involved in the gang. The accused are being questioned to identify others involved in the racket.

Maharashtra: Major fire breaks out in Thane hospital killing four, fourth such incident in recent times

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Maharashtra: Major fire breaks out in Thane hospital killing four, fourth such incident in recent times

A major fire broke out at Mumbra’s Prime Criticare Hospital in the wee hours of Wednesday, leaving at least four patients dead. This is fourth such major fire incident in Maharashtra in recent times.

The hospital located in Mumbra’s Kausa is a non-Covid hospital and had more than 20 patients admitted when a fire erupted. 

While the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, some reports suggest the fire broke out in the meter room of the hospital due to a short circuit. Within no time the fire spread to other areas of the two-floored hospital being run in a residential building. 

Three fire tenders and five ambulances rushed to the spot. At least 20 patients were shifted to a nearby hospital as informed by Thane police and fire brigade officials. 

NCP MLA of Mumbra- Kalwa Jitendra Awhad rushed to the spot upon receiving the news. He announced a probe into the incident and compensation of five lakhs to the kin of the deceased and 1 lakh to the ones injured through a Tweet. 

While interacting with the media, Awhad informed that seven patients were in the ICU out of which three were in critical condition. An investigation has been initiated to determine the cause, loss and casualty, he added.

Series of accidents

The series of fire incidents in Maharashtra hospitals continue to raise questions over the condition of the health infrastructure in the state.

Last week 13 patients lost their lives at Vijay Vallabh Covid Care hospital in Virar West, Mumbai after a massive fire broke out in its Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The patients reportedly died after inhaling toxic fumes. Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope was found downplaying the deaths saying that the fire in Mumbai hospital was not ‘national news’. He was also not wearing a mask and following COVID protocol

In another incident, 22 patients on ventilators lost their lives after a gas leak in Nashik’s Dr Zakir Hussain Hospital due to a stoppage in supply. Reports stated that ventilators in the hospital were stopped for at least 30 minutes. District Collector of Nashik has stated that the patients have succumbed to oxygen deprivation.

Exactly a month back on March 28, a fire in Mumbai’s Dream Mall killed 10 patients being treated for COVID at Sunrise Hospital located inside the mall.

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