Government bans oxygen supply to industries from today

New Delhi: In view of the worsening conditions in the country due to coronavirus and the acute shortage of oxygen, the government has taken a big decision. The Union Home Ministry has banned the supply of oxygen for industries from Thursday. An order was issued by the ministry in this regard so that oxygen is supplied smoothly throughout the country. After this decision, only a few industries will get the oxygen supply.

According to the order, oxygen supply for industrial needs cannot be done from Thursday except for 9 categories. There will be no restriction on oxygen supply plants, plants producing oxygen and vehicles carrying oxygen.

Several hospitals all over the country are facing an acute shortage of oxygen. The situation in Delhi is even more terrible. So far, many hospitals have moved the high court due to shortage of oxygen. On Thursday, a petition was filed before a bench of Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Rekha Palli by Saroj Super Specialty Hospital, which is dedicated to COVID-19 patients. Hearing on the matter is underway.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Delhi High Court had directed the central government to immediately stop the oxygen supply of industries. The court gave this order while hearing a petition filed for the shortage of oxygen in Max Hospital. The court said that the first right to oxygen belongs to the patients.

The court had asked the central government why the oxygen being supplied to industrial institutions should not be given to hospitals for coronavirus patients. The court has said that the industry can wait for oxygen, but not the patients.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance of the COVID-19 situation in the country. The situation is like a "national emergency", the apex court said, adding that it is now planning to withdraw certain issues from various high courts and transfer those issues to itself.