PM chairs review meet,MHA invokes Disaster Management Act

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting to review the oxygen supply across India and discussed the ways to boost its availability, according to an official statement. Meanwhile, MHA invoked the Disaster Management Act on Thursday after several states, including Delhi, cried foul over the shortage of medical oxygen. Political leaders even accused neighboring states of blocking the supply of oxygen at a time when India is battling the second wave of Covid-19 infections. On the other hand, the Delhi HC has directed the Centre govt to ensure that Delhi receives its full 480 Metric Tonne quota of oxygen and any non-compliance "will be seen very seriously as this is likely to result in grave loss of life,"

In its order, the MHA said no restriction shall be imposed on the movement of medical oxygen between the states. "Authorities shall be instructed to allow free inter-state movement of oxygen carrying vehicles," the order goes on to say. Reacting to reports about states, including UP, Rajasthan and Haryana blocking the movements of trucks carrying medical oxygen, the MHA said top police and district officials of states found in violation of the order will be held responsible. The order reads that District Magistrates/ Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendents of Police/ Superintendents of Police/ Deputy Commissioners of Police will be personally liable for implementation of the directions. Sections 51-60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, states that violation of restrictive measures will attract imprisonment for a term which may extend up to a year or a fine or both. This penalty applies to any officer who obstructs an employee of the central or state governments or a person authorized by the National/State/District authority.

Earlier, during the meeting, Modi highlighted the importance to work rapidly on three aspects which are- increasing the production of oxygen, increasing its speed and distribution and utilising innovative ways to provide oxygen support to health facilities, the statement said. "Against the present demand from 20 states of 6,785 MT/ day of Liquid Medical Oxygen, Government of India has from 21st April, allocated 6,822 MT/ day to these states," the statement added. Modi also ordered the officials to make sure the oxygen supply to states happens in a smooth manner and there is a need to to fix responsibility with the local administration in the case of obstruction. He stressed the fact that state governments should come down heavily on hoarding of oxygen.The Centre is undertaking various steps to rapidly increase the availability of cyrogenic tankers through conversion of nitrogen and argon tankers, import and airlifting of tankers as well as manufacturing them, the statement said. The meeting, which was attended by principal secretary to the Prime Minister PK Mishra, health secretary Rajesh Bhushan, home secretary Ajay Bhalla and officials of Niti Aayog and other ministries