Stepping towards liberalization of oxygen supply; Centre brushes aside basic custom duty on oxygen and COVID-19 vaccine

The center, under the supervision of PM Modi, ensures the clearance of basic custom duties on oxygen and the related pieces of equipment.

Under the supervision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a meeting was held in order to take step exigent steps towards the upliftment of the flow of oxygen supply in the country. Well, in the meeting, the emphasis was put on the urgent requirement of oxygen supply in the country as well as the availability of oxygen-related pieces of equipment amid the consistent surge in Covid cases.

Furthermore, the center decides to waive off basic custom duty on oxygen and the related equipment. An exemption is to be granted from basic custom duty as well as health cess on import of 16 items of oxygen and the related pieces of equipment for the next three months. The decision has to be in effect immediately.

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Although, basic customs duty has already been exempted on Remdesivir and its API.

Furthermore, Prime Minister Modi has directed all the ministries and respective departments to work in the direction of increasing the availability of oxygen and medical supplies. Well, the items which are absolutely unencumbered from customs duty are, medical-grade oxygen, oxygen concentrator along with flow meter, regulator, connectors and tubing, Vaccum Pressure Swing Absorption & Pressure Swing Absorption, oxygen plants, Cryogenic Oxygen Air Separation units producing liquids/gaseous oxygen, oxygen canister, oxygen filling systems, oxygen storage tanks, oxygen cylinders including cryogenic cylinders and tanks, oxygen generators, ISO containers for shipping oxygen, cryogenic road transport for oxygen, transportation, distribution or storage of oxygen, etc; as per the sources of ANI.

In addition to this, PM Narendra Modi has instructed the revenue department to ensure a swift custom clearance of oxygen-related and other useful equipment.