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Centre bans use of liquid oxygen for all non-medical purposes
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SME Times News Bureau | 25 Apr, 2021
To ensure that there is no lack of oxygen in the Covid-19 hospitals
across the country, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Sunday
banned use of liquid oxygen for any non-medical purpose while directing
its manufacturing units to maximise production and make it available to
the government for medical purposes only.
The ministry, in an
order, stated that the National Executive Committee (NEC), under the
Disaster Management Act, 2005, has taken certain decisions to ensure the
uninterrupted supply of medical oxygen across the country.
"And
whereas, it has been considered necessary to restrict industrial usage
of oxygen for ensuring availability of adequate and uninterrupted supply
of medical oxygen across the country for management of Covid-19
patients and necessary order in this regard was issued on 22.04.2021 to
restrict the use of industrial oxygen.
"Now, therefore, in
exercise of powers conferred under section 10(2)(I) and section 65 of
the DM Act, the undersigned, hereby directs the state/Union Territory
governments and state/Union Territory Authorities to ensure that use of
liquid oxygen is not allowed for any non-medical purpose and that all
manufacturing units may maximise their production of liquid oxygen, and
make it available to the government for use for medical purposes only,
with immediate effect and until further orders," the order stated.
Further,
all stocks of liquid oxygen should also be made available to the
government for use for medical purposes, it said, adding that no
exception is allowed.
On April 22, the MHA prohibited supply of oxygen for industrial purposes, except those exempted by the government.
The
ministry had also issued a directive to states and Union Territories
asking them to make sure there are no restrictions in the supply of
medical oxygen.
It said that availability of adequate and
uninterrupted supply of medical oxygen is an important pre-requisite for
managing moderate and severe cases of Covid-19 and with the increasing
cases, the medical oxygen supply will need to keep pace with the
requirements of the states and Union Territories.
Empowered
Group-II (EG-II) was set up with the mandate for coordinating medical
logistics, including medical oxygen, and 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.
Accordingly,
EG-II had recommended to prohibit the supply of oxygen for industrial
purposes by manufacturers and suppliers forthwith from April 22, till
further orders, with the exception of nine specified industries.
The
recommendations were accepted by the Central government and the said
decision, along with the list of nine exempted industries, have been
conveyed by Secretary, Health and Family Welfare on April 18, 2021.
The
ministry in the order stated that all District Magistrates,
Superintendents of Plice and Deputy Commissioners of Police of districts
concerned will be personally liable for implementing the directions
and ensuring there is no hindrance in oxygen supply.
"No
restriction shall be imposed on the movement of medical oxygen between
the states and transport authorities shall be instructed to accordingly
allow free inter-state movement of oxygen carrying vehicles," the MHA
directive stated.
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