Liquid oxygen not allowed for non-medical purposes, no exception to any industry: Centre

April 26, 2021

Amid an alarming rise in COVID-19 infections, the Centre on Sunday directed states and Union Territories to ensure that the use of liquid oxygen is not allowed for any non-medical purpose.
In an order, the Ministry of Home Affairs directed the states and UTs to ensure that all manufacturing units may maximise their production of liquid oxygen and make it available to the government for use of medical purposes only with immediate effect until further orders.
The Centre recently restricted industrial usage of oxygen for ensuring the availability of an “adequate and uninterrupted” supply of medical oxygen across the country for management of COVID-19 patients.

“The Central Government has reviewed the oxygen supply situation and has decided that with immediate effect, use of liquid oxygen, including the existing stock, will be allowed for medical purposes only, and that all manufacturing units may be allowed to maximise their production of liquid oxygen, and make it available to the government, for use for medical purposes only,” the order read.
All stocks of liquid oxygen, should also be made available to the government for use for medical purposes, the MHA said, adding no exception is allowed to any industry with regard to use of liquid oxygen.