Haryana State Legal Services Authority Launches 'Oxygen On Wheels' For COVID Relief

In an another initiative to reach public during the current pandemic and address the current crisis,  Mr. Justice Rajan Gupta, Judge, Punjab and Haryana High Court and Executive Chairman, Haryana State Legal Services Authority inaugurated Oxygen on Wheels from the Administrative Building of HALSA. Haryana State Legal Services Authority in association with Rotary Midtown Chandigarh and Buddy Cabs has initiated this project with an aim to provide necessary relief to the persons in need.

Addressing the media on this occasion through live streaming Justice Gupta, called upon all sections of society to make maximum contribution as per their capacities in COVID relief work. COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our lives in a way which is unknown to our generation. With emergence of COVID-19 second wave, the extend of loss of lives and miseries being suffered by fellow citizens is unbearable and is disturbing. However, COVID-19 can also be defeated if we all act jointly, face the challenges head-on by putting joint fight and placing effective strategies in place. His Lordship also suggested that Corporate sectors must use Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Funds liberally for COVID relief work. Rotary Clubs and other such NGOs and their members must come out to support society in this time of crisis. He requested all the citizens to follow COVID appropriate behaviour and go for vaccination subject to their medical conditions under the advice of doctor to defeat this pandemic.

On 26th March, 2021, Mr. Justice Rajan Gupta, Judge, Punjab & Haryana High Court and Executive Chairman, Haryana State Legal Services Authority had launched a COVID Awareness Project namely "Arrest the disease-wear a mask, don't go close, cover your nose" across the State of Haryana to inculcate mask etiquette amongst the citizens and to ensure proper implementation of health protocols such as social distancing wearing of mask, sanitization of hands etc.

Taking his campaign ahead Haryana State Legal Services Authority launched "OXYGEN ON WHEELS" Project in association with Rotary Chandigarh Midtown and Buddy Cabs to help the COVID patient who is in dire need of oxygen.

This project will give first mile connectivity before a patient gets proper treatment. Under this project, the Cabs modified into Oxygen Cylinder fitted Cabs, with all Covid safety Protocols, will run in tricity to cater the needs of the Covid Patients exclusively by transporting them to the hospitals in emergency with Oxygen backup or providing them Oxygen inhaling at their doorstep. These cabs would also assist the hospitals having heavy case loads but less emergency vehicles in pick and drop of the patients. The drivers of these cabs have been trained to be polite and provide immediate Oxygen supply to the patients in need may be during transportation or doorstep service. These services are free of charge for the residents of The Tricity.

Justice Gupta also emphasized the need to increase vaccination and use all means including drive-in vaccination programme facilitating vaccination without there being any exposure to medical staff as well as person opting for vaccination. This drive-in vaccination programme will help all the citizens who are afraid of visiting hospitals for the reasons of getting infections. This drive shall be on voluntary basis.

The Legal Services Authorities are continuously making efforts to make public aware about COVID appropriate behaviour as well as extending COVID relief to the victims. Legal Services Authorities are implementing NALSA SCHEME FOR LEGAL SERVICES TO THE VICTIMS OF DISASTERS THROUGH LEGAL SERVIES by providing appropriate legal services as well as other reliefs.

Legal Services Authorities have left no segment of the society unreached and extend all possible assistance during COVID-19. Last year during lockdown, HALSA through DLSAs extended help to 3,50,000 migrants regarding transit and food in coordination with District Administration & NGOs; more than 4000 awareness progarmmes were conducted for creating awareness regarding Covid wherein more than 4,40,000 persons had participated; 2,00,000 mask & sanitizers were distributed; 2700 were provided medical assistance; more than 20,000 Sanitary napkins were distributed; 8121 were assisted with shelter; 20,103 were assisted with regard to travelling to home states or home districts; 1,100 Stranded Labourers were assisted for movement pass.

The programme was attended by Sh. Deepak Gupta, Ld. District & Sessions Judge, Panchkula, Parmod Goyal, Ld. Member Secretary, Haryana State Legal Services Authority, Sh. Mukesh Kumar Ahuja, Deputy Commissioner, Panchkula, Mr. Mohit Handa, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Panchkula, Mr. Salil Bali, Past President, Rotary Club Midtown, Chandigarh, Rotarians

Also present live through VC: Chief Judicial Magistrates-cum-Secretaries, District Legal Services Authorities, Panel advocates, Para Legal Volunteers, NGOs and volunteer