Aurangabad, April 9:
The unprecedented Covid surge and oxygen supply crisis in the state has prompted state Food and Drug Administration (FDA) minister Dr Rajendra Shingane to instruct the liquid oxygen manufacturers, to reserve their entire production for medical oxygen exclusively. He has clarified that in the next few days, the total supply of oxygen will be diverted for medical purpose and industries will not be able to use oxygen. The industrialists have expressed discontent stating that this will hit the steel industry, fabricating and other industries where oxygen is used as a raw material.
The number of corona patients in the state is increasing rapidly and the demand for oxygen beds and oxygen is also increasing. As a result, the government is taking steps to ensure that the supply of oxygen is sufficient to meet the needs of the needy patients. However, to ensure enough availability of oxygen for patients, minister Shingane has hinted at stopping the production of industrial oxygen. But the announcement has not gone down well with industrialists, especially steel, fabrication and engineering units. The industrialists on the condition of anonymity stated that it will adversely affect the steel and other industries in the district. According to industrialists, a steel industry requires an average of 60 cylinders a day. A single industry employs around 250 workers. If the supply is stopped, nearly 200 units would be affected without industrial oxygen. Out of all those affected, there are 30-40 units where work might immediately stop without oxygen supply, as it is a key element to cut iron plates and such materials. This would only paralyse production and leave workers unemployed. It is demanded that at least 10 cylinders should be given for 24 hours but complete supply should not be stopped.
As per the decision, the use 100 per cent production of liquid oxygen for the medical purpose was for the larger interest of the people and growing numbers of covid patients whose life depends on timely and adequate oxygen supply. In the past, liquid oxygen production was regulated in the ratio of 80 per cent for medical and 20 per cent for commercial use.