Union Home Secretary and National Executive Committee Chairman A.K. Bhalla on Thursday invoked the Disaster Management Act to ensure that the supply of medical oxygen doesn’t get hindered by regional lockdowns and inter-state issues.
Following a string of reports of the unavailability of oxygen in various parts of the country, Bhalla issued orders stating that state and transport authorities will not hinder the movement of medical oxygen transporting vehicles across states, or impose any restriction on manufacturers and suppliers to limit the delivery of oxygen only to the state where it is produced.
The order makes it clear that such vehicles will not be obstructed from movement any time into cities and that no authority shall attach any such vehicle passing through their area for making supplies specific to any particular area.
Supplies to industries, except those exempted by the government, is prohibited with effect from April 22, 2021.
It also says that states and Union territories have to abide by the supply plan of medical oxygen prepared by the Empowered Group II.
The country produces 7,500 Metric tonnes of oxygen daily and the vector has already mandated that 6,600 MT be used only for medical purposes. But with the pandemic raging, and with more patient requiring oxygenation this time, the supply chain is under stress. The centre is trying to import oxygen, but those tie-ups will require several weeks to process and the gasping country needs oxygen now.
These orders come in the wake of governments accusing each other of border blocks and thus, delays.
