Cooperatives of the country are doing their best to mitigate the Covid scourge sweeping through the states. The latest in the series is Kozhikode based Uralungal Labour Society (ULCCS) which has been lauded by the Centre for its proactive approach in this hour of crisis.
Kerala based pride of labour co-op movement, ULCCS has been entrusted with the job of shifting an entire Oxygen Plant from a factory to the hospital site. ULCCS is busy translocating an Oxygen generating plant at PK Steel Complex to nearby Kozhikode Medical College.
The herculean effort of the ULCCS has earned it kudos from many sources with the Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar tweeting “Great improvisation at work in Kerala as India Fights COVID19”.
Kumar wrote further “Oxygen generating plant at PK Steel Complex being translocated to nearby Kozhikode Medical College and creating additional oxygenated bed capacity. Great work Uralungal Labour Society.”
The number of Covid positive patients is rising at an alarming pace in Kozhikode district. Covid patients requiring oxygenation are increasing and the facilities in Medical College Kozhikode are unable to meet the needs of the patients admitted in MCH.
Thus, District administration decided to translocate the 13 KL oxygen tank in PK steel complex to New Covid Hospital Block at Medical College Hospital. The oxygen plant shall be installed immediately by the Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society with the technical support of the manufacturer of the Plant.
ULCCS has immediately started work for the installation of the Oxygen plant, said Kishore an official to Indian Cooperative adding it would be done sooner than later.
The stories of other co-operatives active in strengthening government efforts in fighting Covid have already grabbed media headlines. IFFCO is investing Rs 30 crore and is in the process of setting up four Oxygen plants to meet the shortage of medical oxygen. Kribhco has also similarly launched itself in the job.
Meanwhile, the stories of Gujarat dairy co-ops launching themselves to produce Oxygen have also come. Banas dairy engineers were able to generate Oxygen in less than 48 hours, surprising many. Time is of essence and co-ops are racing against the deadlines to rise to the occasion, said several co-operators.
Similarly, Amul is setting up oxygen plants in Anand, Kheda and Mahisagar