Guwahati: Amid reports of the demand for oxygen rising in Assam as COVID cases continue to rise in the state, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has allocated four additional oxygen carrying tankers to Assam and other Northeastern states.
Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma thanked PM Modi for the help.
"Thank you Hon Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi.
We are grateful to Government of India for having allocated four additional Oxygen carrying tankers to us for use in Assam and other NE states.
This shall help us augment our Oxygen supplies and movement," Dr Sarma said in a social media post.
In an order dated May 21, 2021, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highway said that 4 oxygen tankers would reach Assam and other Northeastern states and 2 tankers have been dispatched for Odisha.
The Assam Cabinet had earlier this week cleared proposals stating the state government would provide 100 % free power supply to any new oxygen plants being set up in the state or any oxygen plant being revived. The state government also said that 20% power would be free for all existing oxygen plants operating in the state for medical purposes. Assam government has been taking all possible steps to prevent an oxygen crisis as COVID cases continue to soar despite strict curbs and curfew in place across the state. Even inter-district movement has been stopped.
CM Sarma had earlier said that the state's oxygen production capacity has gone up to 80 MT as against the requirement of 70 MT. He also said that the Central Government has allocated 100 MT oxygen to the state which would be transported by a dedicated train.
Assam recorded 6, 066 new cases and 81 deaths on Friday, May 21.
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