• IP cameras to be installed at refilling plants to monitor unauthorised refilling, transportation: Pratap Simha 
• Absence of a robust system in Karnataka for oxygen     distribution to districts exposed

Mysore/Mysuru: Seeking to tighten the monitoring mechanism at oxygen refilling plants in Mysuru city, Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha has asked authorities to install IP cameras so as to keep tabs on the dispatch of cylinders personally. 

The Internet Protocol camera, or IP camera, is a type of digital video camera that receives control data and sends image data via an IP network. They would be linked to the mobile phones so that all movements of incoming stocks from oxygen factories and the outgoing cylinders from the refilling plants are monitored. The MP’s move has brought to the fore the lack of a robust system in Karnataka for oxygen distribution to districts based on actual requirements. 

Pratap Simha’s decision was conveyed to the officials during the first meeting of the Task Force — for oxygen and Remdesivir drug management — constituted under the MP by District Minister S.T. Somashekar. 

“The existing load of COVID-19 patients in Mysuru was crippling the health infrastructure and the numbers are expected to double when the second wave peaks and we are preparing for it. We have asked the oxygen refilling companies to restrict supply only to hospitals in Mysuru. Eight IP cameras would be installed to monitor oxygen supplies,” he told reporters. 

“IP cameras linked to a control room will be installed at refilling plants and at the distributors’ end to monitor unauthorised refilling and transportation,” he added.

The IP camera measure comes in the wake of Mandya District Minister K.C. Narayanagowda and Chamarajanagar District Minister S. Suresh Kumar monitoring and personally overseeing the transportation of oxygen cylinders to their districts from private refilling agencies in Mysuru.

Taking exception to this, the MP said that Narayanagowda and Suresh Kumar accompanied by Chamarajanagar DC Dr. M.R. Ravi visited Mysuru along with Police escort and got oxygen cylinders filled. “Is it right to do so. It is unjust authority of power,” he alleged. Narayanagowda transported 350 cylinders with Police escort. 

“The Ministers should stop this kind of attitude. Let them ask Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa to fix a quota and demand the Government to supply required oxygen. They should resolve the issue with the Chief Secretary and not totally depend on Mysuru for oxygen supply. We will not tolerate oppression and threats. Taking oxygen with the Police force is not right,” the MP said. 

“Oxygen is being given to other districts on a humanitarian basis from Mysuru and taking control of it is unacceptable. We do not produce oxygen in Mysuru but only refill. We are facing a shortage and the neighbouring districts should not trouble us,” Pratap Simha said. Mysuru has a requirement of 48 Kilo Litres of oxygen per day and was getting only half of its requirements. 

The issue also came up in the meeting convened by Somashekar recently and he said that would seek the intervention of the Chief Minister to ensure that Mysuru’s requirement of 48 Kilo Litres of oxygen per day was not affected 

The MP said that he had suggested the State Government to fix quota of oxygen to be supplied to Mandya and Chamarajanagar from Mysuru but no step has been taken, he said. 

Meanwhile, Minister Suresh Kumar said that as a Minister he was aware of his responsibilities. “My intention is not to divert Mysuru’s oxygen requirement to Chamarajanagar. My decision to visit oxygen refilling units in Mysuru was to acquaint myself with the filling process of cylinders and the total time required,” he added.