Oxygen Demand In Tamil Nadu May Rise To 800 Metric Tons
Oxygen demand in Tamil Nadu may rise to 800 metric tons per day – Tamil Nadu government informed in court.
The judges advised that the increase in oxygen demand should facilitate the production of oxygen by the DRDO and that the Central and State Governments should be prepared to deal with it as there is a risk of a third wave hitting.
As the corona infection spreads rapidly in Tamil Nadu, the demand for oxygen may rise to 800 metric tons per day, the Tamil Nadu government said in the Chennai High Court.
Following the intensification of the corona impact, the Chennai High Court voluntarily took up the case on the basis of press reports on issues including Remtacivir drug shortages, oxygen outflows, and vaccine shortages.
The case came up for hearing last time before Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamurthy. Radhakrishnan Ajaraki had said that the central government had not allocated the 475 tonnes of oxygen it had decided to allocate.
He said that out of the 400 tonnes produced in Tamil Nadu, 60 tonnes would be sent to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
He said that the supply of 40 tonnes of oxygen from Kanjikode near Palakkad in Kerala to South Tamil Nadu has been stopped. He feared that due to this Tamil Nadu would reach a very bad situation.
When the case came up for hearing again today, the Tamil Nadu government explained that the Supreme Court had ordered the setting up of a national expert panel to ensure that all states were provided with adequate vaccines, oxygen, and remedies.
In addition, it was reported that 5 lakh vaccines have been received for people between the ages of 18 and 40 and 12,000 oxygen beds have been created out of which 5592 beds have come into use.
It was also brought to the notice of the judges that it was stopped due to the protest of the people of the area to bring the oxygen produced in Palakkad to Tamil Nadu.
Remdecivir outlets have been set up in Salem, Coimbatore, Madurai, Trichy, and Nellai.
At present, Siddha and Ayurveda treatment centers have been started in 12 districts, the Tamil Nadu government said.
According to the Tamil Nadu government, the central government is allocating only 419 tonnes of oxygen to Tamil Nadu, which currently needs 475 tonnes and will require 800 tonnes in the coming days.
The Tamil Nadu government has said that the Sterlite plant will start producing 40 metric tonnes of oxygen from the 15th.
On the part of the Central Government, it was explained that the deadline for applying for tenders for the opening of the Chengalpattu Vaccine Production Center has been extended to May 31.
The Puducherry government has said that there is an adequate stock of remedies and vaccines in Puducherry.
Following this, the judges directed the Central Government to take immediate action to ensure adequate supply of oxygen, vaccines, and remedies to Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry.
Until the recommendations of the National Expert Committee are made as per the Supreme Court order.
They also advised the Central Government to take steps to repatriate the oxygen produced in Palakkad as areas like Coimbatore are close to the Kerala border.
The judges advised that the increase in oxygen demand should facilitate the production of oxygen by the DRDO and that the Central and State Governments should be prepared to deal with it as there is a risk of a third wave hitting.
