NEW DELHI, April 6 - The Centre has directed the states to give special attention on keeping the supply of medical oxygen smooth and hassle-free.
Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla has written to all state chief secretaries emphasising that there is a critical need to maintain adequate supply of medical oxygen in the country in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.
The Ministry of Home Affairs had earlier issued consolidated guidelines on the lockdown measures to be taken by Union ministries and state governments for containment of COVID-19 epidemic in the country.
Under the guidelines, manufacturing units of medical devices, their raw materials and intermediates, manufacturing units of their packaging material, transportation of essential goods and medical supplies and mobilisation of resources, workers and material for augmentation and expansion of hospital infrastructure have been permitted.
The Home Secretary reiterated and clarified the exceptions under various clauses of the consolidated guidelines on lockdown measures also include manufacturing units of medical oxygen and its transportation.
