Punjab shuts down iron, metal business to divert oxygen for medical use

To divert oxygen for medical use with fast impact to the state’s well being amenities, the Punjab authorities on Saturday ordered closure of the iron and metal business. The authorities additionally ordered institution of Oxygen Control Rooms on the state in addition to district stage at once.
Taking inventory oxygen shortages being reported by numerous hospitals, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh mentioned he has already taken up the matter with Centre, looking for enhance in quota on pressing foundation, and Chief Secretary, Vini Mahajan, was following it up.
The sudden inflow of sufferers from neighbouring states had put added burden on oxygen requirement in Punjab, he famous.
Ordering closure of business operations on the iron and metal crops, the Chief Minister mentioned the state authorities will convey its choice to the Centre.
Oxygen together with LPG is utilized in induction, arc furnaces and rolling mills to chop and form the iron and metal gadgets for use by completely different business verticals. Iron and metal models are largely concentrated in Ludhiana and Mandi Gobindgarh.
The Chief Minister has additionally requested for a feasibility report from the Power Department on use of thermal crops for offering oxygen for medical use.

Punjab has witnessed a pointy enhance in demand over the previous few days. Demand for oxygen at the moment stands at 250 MT per day and is additional anticipated to go as much as 300 MT within the coming days on account of spiralling Covid instances.
The Chief Minister additionally directed that contracted oxygen provide below non-public hospitals could also be reviewed to make sure that oxygen provide is optimally used and rationalised throughout the state.
Reacting to experiences of enhance within the worth of oxygen by suppliers, he requested officers to debate, negotiate and settle the pricing with bulk suppliers and inform Principal Secretary, Medical Education & Research, on the ultimate choice.
In one other choice, he ordered Punjab Health Systems Corporation (PHSC) to obtain 100 extra oxygen concentrators, together with 50 accredited earlier, along with 234 oxygen concentrators already being utilised in Covid amenities. It was identified that oxygen concentrators can help Level 2 amenities with present affected person load, and likewise assist enhance the variety of Level 2 beds in amenities reminiscent of in Tarn Taran and in Gurdaspur the place extra Level 2 beds are wanted.
Principal Secretary (Industries) has been directed by the Chief Minister to urgently arrange the State Control Room at Udyog Bhawan, Chandigarh, with help from Director Industries and Commerce, with different officers, as required, to be supplied by the Personnel Department. He has additionally been requested to get the management rooms in districts arrange on the earliest.
The state management room will make sure that all oxygen provide from inside Punjab and from exterior is carefully supervised and immediately monitored by the federal government.