New Delhi (NVI) The Centre today issued an order to ensure an uninterrupted supply of medical oxygen across the country, while directing the states that there will be no restriction on inter-state movement of oxygen.
The MHA order comes amid allegations by some states and union territories that their oxygen supply was being obstructed or blocked by neighbouring states.
In its order, the Ministry of Home Affairs has also invoked the Disaster Management Act, even as the country battles a second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic and registered the highest daily cases in the world today.
The Home Minister has also ordered that there will be no restriction on manufacturers to limit supplies only to hospitals of States/UTs in which they are located.
“No restriction shall be imposed on the movement of medical oxygen between states, and transport authorities shall be instructed to accordingly allow free inter-state movement of oxygen carrying vehicles.”
There shall be free movement of oxygen-carrying vehicles into cities, without any restrictions on timings, and there shall be no restriction on inter-city oxygen supply, as per the order.
It said that no authority shall attach the oxygen-carrying vehicles passing through the district or areas for making supplies specific to any particular district(s) or area.
“Supply of oxygen for industrial purposes, except those exempted by the government is prohibited with effect from 22 April 2021 and till further orders,” it said.
States/UTs shall strictly abide by the supply plan of medical oxygen prepared by EG II and as revised from time-to-time.
The order said that District Magistrates/Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendents of Police/Superintendents of Police/Deputy Commissioners of Police will be personally liable for implementation of the directions.
-ARK
