Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Sunday that Maharashtra, which is the worst state affected by Covid-19, will get the biggest share of 1,500 metric tonnes of oxygen after mapping done by the Centre and a green corridor is being created for fast movement of ‘Oxygen Express Trains’ to facilities the smooth transport of oxygen to states.
Goyal told ANI in an interview that the government has taken key decisions for inceasing supply of medical oxygen in view of increasing cases of Covid-19 which include limiting industrial oxygen to nine industries. He said central government did mapping in a meeting with governments of 12 states and union territories most affected by Covid-19 and 6,177 metric tonnes of oxygen will be given to these states.
He said the government is working with states shoulder to shoulder and urged them to take steps against wastage of medical oxygen. “We are witnessing an unprecedented crisis in from of Covid-19 pandemic. In some states, the cases can be seen going beyond control, like Maharashtra Delhi, and some other states,” he said. He said that different ministries and departments of the Centre are having elaborate meetings every two days with 12 states and mapping which plant will supply oxygen to which place according to the requirement of different states “without any discrimination”.
“Today in a meeting with 12 states, Central government did mapping along with state governments on various requirements. 6177 metric tonnes of oxygen have been finalized to be distributed to states. Of this Maharashtra will get the biggest share of 1,500 metric tonnes of oxygen, Delhi will get 350 metric tonnes and Uttar Pradesh will get 800 metric tonnes,” the Union Minister said.
Goyal, who is also Railway Minister, said the states should take steps towards demand control and medical oxygen should be given to needy patients only. “We are working with the states shoulder to shoulder. I request that you (states) have to make efforts towards demand control from your side and it will also be important to take steps for control of pandemic,” he said.