Highlights:
- In Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal says, oxygen has become an emergency.
- According to Mr. Kejriwal, the city’s quota has been transferred to other states.
- The use of oxygen is crucial in the treatment of Covid patients.
Arvind Kejriwal, the Delhi Chief Minister, said on Sunday that the Centre had reduced Delhi’s medical oxygen quota and transferred it to other states. He also wrote to Union Minister Piyush Goyal, alleging that 140 metric tonnes of oxygen intended for Delhi had been diverted to other states and that it should be restored. He said that the national capital is experiencing a severe lack of oxygen and declared the situation an “emergency.”
Arvind Kejriwal tweeted about the situation and also assured that the matter would be looked into after the morning’s cabinet meeting.
Del facing acute shortage of oxygen. In view of sharply increasing cases, Del needs much more than normal supply. Rather than increasing supply, our normal supply has been sharply reduced and Delhi’s quota has been diverted to other states.
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) April 18, 2021
OXYGEN HAS BECOME AN EMERGENCY IN DEL
After this morning’s cabinet meeting, Mr Kejriwal told reporters, “We need beds, oxygen supply… ICU beds and oxygen we are trying to arrange.” His deputy, Manish Sisodia, tweeted that the Delhi government had already approached the Centre for assistance with oxygen procurement.
Mr. Kejriwal wrote to Mr. Goyal, who is in charge of the industries portfolio: ” M/s Inox, a major supplier to various Delhi hospitals, has had a substantial portion of its output diverted to other states. Hospitals will be unable to enter into contractual arrangements with the new suppliers who have now been assigned to Delhi.”
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He went on to say that the disruption has led to a “critical shortage” in major hospitals.
“I will respectfully request that you personally investigate the matter and provide appropriate guidance to all parties concerned in order to ensure the continuous supply of 700 MT of oxygen on a daily basis and the restoration of 140 MT of oxygen by M/s Inox to Delhi…” he added.
Mr Goyal, slammed Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and said that the country is producing oxygen at 110% capacity, tweeted a video of trucks being loaded on Sunday.
In a tweet the minister, who also handles the railways portfolio said, “Roll on Roll off Oxygen trucks getting loaded for Oxygen Express. The Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, is committed to doing everything possible to help coronavirus patients.”
Roll on Roll off Oxygen trucks getting loaded for Oxygen Express. Under PM @NarendraModi ji's leadership, Govt of India is committed to doing everything possible to help COVID-19 patients. pic.twitter.com/dFgHeKLRxr
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) April 18, 2021
The minister added in a second tweet, “Railways is leaving no stone unturned in the battle against COVID-19. We’ll run Oxygen express trains along green corridors to get oxygen to patients in large quantities and quickly.”
Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh, for example, are currently experiencing an oxygen shortage. Others, such as Punjab, said they were on the verge of a crisis and asked the Centre to make additional arrangements. People are being forced to buy oxygen on the black market in many places.
The Centre released its third emergency order in less than 24 hours on Friday night. A total of 50,000 metric tonnes of oxygen has also been approved for import.
Over the last 24 hours, Delhi has seen an astounding 25,462 cases, bringing the number to over 8.5 lakh and a total of 161 people have died due to this fatal disease.
