The Centre on Sunday banned the supply 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 stated 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 provision of oxygen for industrial use so as to divert the identical to fulfill the rising demand for medical oxygen within the nation and save valuable lives.

Accordingly, the EG-II has beneficial to ban the provision of oxygen for industrial functions by producers and suppliers from April 22 until additional orders, with exceptions of 9 specified industries.

The advice of the EG-II has been accepted by the federal government, the house secretary stated in his letter.

“I, subsequently, urge you to situation mandatory directions to all of the authorities involved in your State to make sure compliance to the choice of the EG-II and take mandatory measures to ban provide of oxygen for industrial functions, besides these exempted 9 industries. It should assist in augmenting provide for medical oxygen within the nation and in saving valuable lives,” the letter addressed to the chief secretaries of all states and union territories stated.