With the virus cases on the rise in steel city and many patients gasping for air, Marwari Yuva Manch (MYM) on Monday opened an oxygen bank where oxygen cylinders will be distributed free of cost to below-poverty line (BPL) patients.

Presently, the MYM has 11 cylinders at its disposal, each weighing 14.3 kg.

“There is a spike in Covid cases in Jamshedpur and there are very few beds available at the hospitals. Oxygen is vital for patients in these difficult times. We thought of opening an oxygen bank to help people overcome the crisis. Cylinders will be given free of cost to BPL patients. We felt it is our responsibility to help people who have tested Covid positive,” said MYM president Amit Khandelwal.

Two oxygen cylinders have already been made available to BPL patients.

The oxygen bank will be operating from Bistupur and Adityapur from where the cylinders will be made available to the needy. “Family members of BPL patients shall have to deposit photo copies of their (patient) aadhaar card, BPL card and doctor’s prescription, The documents have to be duly attested by ward councillors, mukhias (village head) and MLAs of their respective areas. The ward councillor or mukhia or the concerned MLA shall have to take guarantee of the cylinders,” Khandelwal told The Telegraph Online.

The initiative was launched at Adityapur in presence of office incharge Rajendra Prasad Mahto.

Khandelwal said non-BPL patients need to deposit a cheque of Rs 12,000 as security money which will be refunded once the cylinder is returned. “The oxygen cylinder will be free for seven days but Rs 50 per day will be charged after seven days,” the Manch president added.

Justifying the per day charge, the MYM president said there can be people who may keep the oxygen cylinder even when there is no need for an oxygen cylinder for the concerned patient.

According to him, the oxygen cylinders have been sponsored by well wishers from the Marwari community of Jamshedpur. “We have arranged the cylinders from suppliers in Jamshedpur and Adityapur. However, presently there is a shortage of oxygen cylinders,” Khandelwal added.

The needy can obtain the cylinder by dialling Khandelwal (7549777770) and Prakash Sharma (9334811006).

The MYM is also lending its support in arranging blood for the needy in Covid times. Members donate blood during camps.