Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday urged states to come down heavily against the practise of hoarding of medical oxygen amid a shortage across the country. The Prime Minister chaired a high-level meeting to review the supply of oxygen across the country, and discuss ways to boost its availability. 

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The meeting was attended by Cabinet Secretary, Principal Secretary to PM, Home Secretary, Health Secretary and Officials from Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Minstry of Road Transport, Pharmaceuticals, NITI Aayog.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s office, PM Modi underscored the need to work on three major aspects – increasing production of oxygen, increasing the speed of distribution and using innovative ways to provide oxygen support to health facilities. 

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He was informed that the Centre is coordinating with the states to estimate their demand for oxygen and provide adequate supply accordingly. Officials said that the Centre has allocated a supply of 6,822 MT per day to 20 states, against a present demand of over 6,785 MT per day from those states. 

They said that in the last few days, the availability of Liquid Medical Oxygen has increased by about 3,300 MT per day with the help of contribution from private and public steel plants, industries, oxygen manufacturers as well as through prohibition of supply of oxygen for non-essential industries.

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Officials also informed the Prime Minister about working together with states to operationalise sanctioned PSA oxygen plants as soon as possible. 

“PM directed the officials to ensure that oxygen supply to various states happen in a smooth, unhindered manner. He spoke about the need to fix responsibility with the local administration in cases of obstruction,” the statement read. 

“PM stressed on the need to ensure faster transportation of oxygen to the states. It was discussed that Railways is being used for rapid and non-stop long distance transport of tankers. PM also stressed that the states should come down heavily on hoarding,” it added.