Union Home Secy Ajay Bhalla Writes to States to Ensure Uninterrupted Supply of Medical Oxygen

New Delhi: The Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla has written to Chief Secretaries of States and Administrators of Union Territories on Monday (April 19) to take measure to "prohibit supply of oxygen for industrial purpose" amid rising number of COVID cases and several states complaining of a shortage.

In his letter, Bhalla said that oxygen can be supplied to only the nine industries mentioned in the letter of the Union Health & Family Welfare Secretary dated 18.04.2021.

"This is keeping in view of 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," an official statement said.

The letter of the Union Home Secretary follows the decision taken by the Central Government today, on the recommendations of the Empowered Group-II, that the supply of oxygen for industrial purposes by manufacturers and suppliers should be prohibited (except to the nine industries) from Thursday (April 22) till further orders, so as to augment supply of medical oxygen.

From Thursday, industries involved in refilling oxygen cylinder, pharma units, steel plants, oil refiners, wastewater treatment plants, food and water treatment, nuclear energy facilities and continuous production industries that need to keep their furnaces and processes running would get the supply of industrial oxygen.

According to reports, the demand for oxygen is at over 60% of daily production. Maharashtra, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh have seen a significant increase in the demand for medical oxygen. These are states with a higher number of COVID cases.

Indian Railways have decided to run 'Oxygen Express' in the green corridors to ensure faster transportation of medical oxygen.

Drop in oxygen levels is a key and deadly symptom of COVID. With India crossing the 1.5 crore COVID cases mark on Sunday, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Home Ministry, Health Ministry and other key Central ministries are constantly monitoring the situation and taking necessary action to fight the pandemic.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a review meeting earlier on Monday. He also held virtual meetings with doctors and pharma companies as India continues its battle against COVID. He has been holding meetings and reviewing the situation constantly since Saturday.