Brought to its knees by a catastrophic rise in COVID-19 cases across the country, the Central government is now looking for help from abroad to tackle the hapless situation at home. This includes turning to foreign countries for oxygen plants, containers and other logistics, as well as an order to the Customs department to speed up clearances.
The Union finance ministry has ordered the Customs department to give customs clearance on top priority for import consignments related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes equipment required for setting up RT-PCR test labs and medical equipment.
In a letter sent to Customs and central tax, Ananth Rathakrishnan, deputy secretary in the department of revenue, said, “Considering the scourge of COVID-19 and surge of cases in the country, it is an imperative that import of critical raw materials, lifesaving drugs etc reach the intended users/beneficiaries in time for effective fight against the pandemic. Hence it is requested that all Customs formations may be sensitised of the urgency of this matter and may be directed to give high priority for customs clearances of import of goods relating to COVID-19 pandemic.”
The government note specifically includes oxygen-related equipment among this. This, even as concerned government ministries are coordinating with countries like the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Singapore from which to arrange high-capacity tankers, containers and cylinders, under what is billed ‘Operation Oxygen Maitri.’
Getting these big containers from abroad will go a long way in faster transportation of oxygen from their import points to various cities and towns where they are direly required. The home ministry had on Friday night designated oxygen transport at par with ambulances and other emergency movement.
The defence ministry had on Friday announced that it was airlifting 23 mobile oxygen-generation plants from Germany, which will be deployed at military hospitals catering to COVID-19 patients. They are expected to arrive in a week’s time.
The US on Friday night denied India’s request for release of raw materials for making the COVID-19 vaccine, even as the US Chamber, its biggest business body, called on the White House to release millions of AstraZeneca vaccine doses in storage, as well as other lifesaving materials for shipment to India, as well as other nations hit hard by the pandemic. Nisha Biswal, former US assistant secretary of state and present president of the US India Business Council, said, “India’s current wave requires immediate support from the United States and the international community. India has always stepped up to support others in need and now the time has come for us to help India.”
The European Union has announced that it will discuss the ongoing situation in India at its upcoming meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 8. Interestingly, China had said earlier this week it was ready to help, though indications are that India is not exactly warm to the idea.
