Rajya Sabha : Pawar summitted report on the deaths due to oxygen shortage in the country

New Delhi: The government of India has maintained data of total cases and deaths reported by States/UTs on a regular basis. Accordingly, Union Government has requested States/UTs to furnish the details as asked for. Few States/UTs have responded and none of the State/UT has reported death due to oxygen shortage, Rajya Sabha was told on Tuesday.

In pursuance of the Hon'ble Supreme Court Judgement dated 30th June 2021 in the Writ Petitions (Civil) No. 554/2021 and No. 539/2021, the Government of India through the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued 'Guidelines to provide for ex-gratia assistance to the kin of the deceased by COVID-19'. NDMA has recommended an amount of Rs. 50,000/- per deceased, subject to the cause of death certified as COVID-19. The ex-gratia assistance provided by States from State Disaster Response Funds.

In order to address the surge in demand for oxygen, the Central Government had initiated measures to increase the availability, streamline the distribution and strengthen the oxygen storage infrastructure in the country. Oxygen availability has been enhanced by an increase in production capacity, setting up of Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Plants, import of Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) from overseas, and procurement of Oxygen Concentrators.

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For improving oxygen storage, the number & capacity of cryogenic tankers at hospitals has been enhanced and Medical Oxygen cylinders have been procured and distributed to States/UTs.

As on 4th February 2022, 3737 PSA plants have been commissioned in the country. This includes PSA plants under PMCARES, PSUs of various central Ministries, and other sources to enhance capacity of medical oxygen production and supply at the facility level. 4,02,517 oxygen cylinders have also been distributed to all States. Further 1,13,237 oxygen concentrators have been allocated to States/UTs.

Under ECRP Phase II, a package of Rs. 23,123 crore (with Rs. 15,000 Cr as Central Component) has been approved. This includes support for installation of 958 Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) storage tanks with 1,359 Medical Gas Pipeline Systems (MGPS), said Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar, the Minister of State for Health in a written reply.

She was responding to the questions on the number of deaths that were accrued due to oxygen shortage during the lockdown in the last one year, whether all the States have submitted the data regarding death due to oxygen shortage, if so, the details thereof State-wise, whether Government plans to compensate the victim families, Whether the capacity of oxygen storage has increased in the country from the last one year, if so then the details.

To view the official report click on the following link: