“the states to set up a high-level coordination committee to carry oxygen to different hospitals of the state. ”- PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday told chief ministers of states and Union territories hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic to ensure there are no hindrances in the transportation of oxygen tankers as several regions across the country reported a shortage in the supply for Covid-19 patients. “He urged the states to check hoarding and black marketing of oxygen and medicines.

The PM said that every state should ensure that no oxygen tanker, whether it is meant for any state, is stopped or gets stranded,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement.

PM Modi’s remarks came at a high-level meeting on the Covid-19 situation with chief ministers of 11 states and Union territories that have reported the maximum number of cases lately. The crucial meeting, the third with CMs in the last five weeks, comes at a time when many states are reporting a lack of health infrastructure to meet the requirements amid a massive increase in Covid-19 cases.

As the states flagged a shortage of oxygen and medicines for Covid-19 patients, PM Modi said that continuous efforts are on to increase the supply. “All the concerned departments and ministries of the government are also working together. Industrial oxygen has also been diverted to meet immediate requirements,” the Prime Minister said, according to his office.

During the meeting, PM Modi urged the states to set up a high-level coordination committee to carry oxygen to different hospitals of the state. This committee should ensure that as soon as there is an allotment of oxygen from the Centre, it can deliver oxygen as per requirement in different hospitals of the state immediately.

PM Modi also stated that the government is working on all possible options to reduce the travel time and turnaround time of oxygen tankers. “For this, railways has started Oxygen Express. Empty Oxygen tankers are also being transported by the Air Force to reduce one-way travel time,” according to PM’s office.

Report by Chetali S M
Reported on – 23/04/2021