Govt bans provide of oxygen to industries to satisfy demand from COVID-19 sufferers

The Centre on Sunday banned the availability of oxygen for industrial functions besides in 9 specified industries in view of scarcity of the important public well being commodity in a number of states amid a spike in COVID-19 infections.
The choice will come into impact from April 22.
In a communication to all states, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla mentioned that in view of the speedy rise in COVID-19 circumstances and resultant speedy demand for medical oxygen, notably in high-burden states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, the central government-constituted Empowered Group-II has reviewed the availability of oxygen for industrial use with the intention to divert the identical to satisfy the rising demand for medical oxygen within the nation and save treasured lives.

Accordingly, the EG-II has really useful prohibiting the availability of oxygen for industrial functions by producers and suppliers from April 22 until additional orders, with exceptions of 9 specified industries.
The suggestion of the EG-II has been accepted by the federal government, the house secretary mentioned in his letter.

“I, therefore, urge you to issue necessary instructions to all the authorities concerned in your State to ensure compliance to the decision of the EG-II and take necessary measures to prohibit supply of oxygen for industrial purposes, except those exempted nine industries. It will help in augmenting supply for medical oxygen in the country and in saving precious lives,” the letter addressed to the chief secretaries of all states and union territories mentioned.