Don't impose any restrictions on supply of industrial oxygen: Centre to Maharashtra govt

The Centre has asked the Maharashtra government not to impose any restrictions on supply of industrial oxygen, cautioning that this could impact supply chains of products where it is used as an intermediary input.
A top government official told ET that the state has been assured that adequate supplies are available in the country.

The official said the Centre is keeping a close watch on the impact of lockdown on industry as also the supply situation of essential commodities.

“We have told the state not to impose restrictions on oxygen supply as there is no shortage of supply at macro level,” the official said.

There could be some supply issues at the micro level that can be addressed by increasing supplies to the state, the official added.

Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray said on Saturday that the state would divert all industrial use oxygen supply for medical use.

The state government had last month directed manufacturers to divert 80% of stocks for medical use and retain just 20%.

The official said industrial oxygen is used as an input or intermediary in multiple products and any restriction on its supply would have larger ramifications on supply chains.

The health ministry and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade regularly monitor supply of oxygen in the country.

On the impact on lockdowns imposed by states on supply chains and overall manufacturing, the official said the Centre was closely monitoring the situation on the ground and is in close touch with states.