Punjab CM warns of strict action against oxygen hoarders

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 30

Taking stock of the continuing oxygen shortage in the state, Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday warned of strict action against black marketing, hoarding or private profiteering of oxygen cylinders or smuggling out of Punjab, especially when oxygen allocation of Punjab was itself not being met.

Noting the efforts of the Industries Department to re-energise old oxygen plants, the Chief Minister said he was happy to note that the state was getting approximately 200 more oxygen concentrators shortly. “We have requested GOI to allot 3,500 out of one lakh being imported,” he revealed, while calling for all-out efforts for optimal utilisation of oxygen and regular oxygen audits. Some small amounts of Remdisivir and Toci have now become available, he further said, expressing the hope that the Centre “will respond to our requests to enhance the allocation.”