Bhubaneswar: In a bid to curb the black marketing of oxygen and life-saving drugs, the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) Wednesday took suo motu cognisance and wrote a letter to the state government.
To curb the illegal activities during tough times of COVID-19 second wave, the OHRC vide its letter (No.-1297, dtd-19.05.2021) asked the state government to follow NHRC guidelines with regard to cremation of COVID-19 deceased.
The letter has been written to the Odisha Chief Secretary, including Additional Chief Secretary, state Health and Family Welfare department to submit compliance reports.
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“The Commission also urges upon the departments concerned to take appropriate steps to prevent any kind of black marketing of oxygen and life-saving drugs and the Director General and Inspector General of Police, Odisha, Cuttack are also requested to take appropriate measures to ensure that persons indulged in such activities are taken to task immediately,” the OHRC letter read.
“This is a larger issue. The Commission also requests the Chief Secretary to government, Odisha to ensure opening of TMCs (Temporary Medical Centres) in rural areas at the earliest as declared by the Government keeping in view the situation that the people in the rural areas are largely affected by the 2nd wave of COVID-19,” the OHRC letter further said.
The date fixed for submission of compliance reports is June 26, 2021.
PNN