COVID-19: Amid shortage, Centre bans oxygen for industrial use
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Mumbai: Given the increasing shortage of life-saving oxygen in the wake of burgeoning demand from Covid patients, the Central government on Sunday banned the supply of oxygen for industrial purposes. In a letter to all chief secretaries, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla asked them to take all measures to prohibit the supply of oxygen for industrial purposes, except those exempted.
âKeeping in view the rapid rise in COVID-19 cases and resultant rapid demand for medical oxygen, particularly in high-burden states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, the EG-II (Empowered Group-II) has reviewed the supply of oxygen for industrial use in order to divert the same to meet the rising demand for medical oxygen in the country and save precious lives,â reads the letter.
Stop oxygen supply for industrial use, Home Secy tells states
By IANS |
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New Delhi: Senior Assam-Meghalaya cadre IAS officer Ajay Kumar Bhalla was appointed Union Home Secretary succeeding incumbent Rajiv Gauba, on Aug 22, 2019. (File Photo: IANS). Image Source: IANS News
New Delhi, April 18 : Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla on Sunday asked Chief Secretaries of states and administrators of Union Territories to issue necessary instructions to all authorities concerned to prohibit supply of oxygen for industrial purpose, except nine industries identified by the Union Health & Family Welfare Secretary. This is keeping in view the rapid rise in Covid-19 cases in various parts of the country and the resultant rapid demand for medical oxygen, particularly in high-burden states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, etc, he said.
Amid acute shortage of medical-grade oxygen for Covid-19 patients, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has limited the industrial use of oxygen to only nine key sectors, including steel plants, petroleum refineries, pharmaceuticals, food and water purification, among others. The decision to restrict the industrial usage of oxygen has been taken to meet the rising demand for medical oxygen. The supply of oxygen for industrial purposes by manufacturers and suppliers is prohibited forthwith from 22.04.2021 till further orders, according to an official statement released on Sunday. The matter was taken up by DPIIT with all the stakeholders. The surplus oxygen available due to the temporary restriction is expected to free up its use as medical oxygen a critical component towards treating Covid-19. An empowered group, headed by DPIIT secretary Guruprasad Mohapatra has been set up to ensure requisite supplies of medical equipments, drugs including m
Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla on Sunday wrote to Chief Secretaries of all states, asking them to prohibit oxygen supply for industrial use, except the specified exempted industries, amid reports of acute shortages in hospitals. As India reports massive spikes day after day during the second wave, hospitals and health systems are increasingly coming under pressure and many states are reporting shortages in medical infrastructure, particulary oxygen. Keeping in view the rapid surge in cases especially in high-burden states, empowered group has recommended to prohibit the supply of oxygen for industrial purposes with the exception of nine specified industries from April 22 and the union government has accepted the decision, Bhalla said in his letter to Chief Secretaries.