Delhi has been allotted more than its oxygen quota: Dr Harsh Vardhan hits back at Delhi govt

The Delhi Government has repeatedly flagged shortage of oxygen supply in the national capital and its crippling healthcare infrastructure has raised eyebrows across the nation.

Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on Saturday hit back at the Delhi government’s request for oxygen supply and said that the union territory has been allotted more than the quota they had asked for and now to rationalise it in a timely manner and the responsibility to finely plan it lies with the state government, reported the news agency ANI.

“Delhi has been allotted more than the (oxygen) quota they had asked for, and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal even thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for that yesterday… now to rationalise the quota in a timely manner and the responsibility to finely plan it lies with the state government,” Dr Harsh Vardhan said.

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Dr Vardhan’s statement comes after the Delhi Government has repeatedly flagged the shortage of oxygen supply in the national capital.

Delhi’s crippling healthcare infrastructure has raised eyebrows across the nation – reporting over 90,000 active cases. On Friday, it had recorded the highest-ever 348 deaths in a day.

Earlier in the day, the Union government decided to grant full exemption from Basic Customs Duty and health cess on import of oxygen and oxygen related equipment for three months, reported ANI.

The recent order from the government also exempted basic customs duty on import of Covid vaccines with immediate effect for a period of three months.

The decision was adopted after Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting to boost the availability of oxygen and other medical supplies in the country. He reflected upon the immediate need to augment the supply of medical grade oxygen as well as equipment required for patient care both at home and in hospitals.