Prime Minister Narendra Modi has chaired a high-level meeting to review oxygen supply across the country and discuss ways to boost its availability as the more deadly second wave of Covid-19 sweeps the country.

PM Modi has called for using innovative ways to provide oxygen support to health facilities. “States should come down heavily on hoarding of oxygen,” the Prime Minister said at today’s review meeting over oxygen supply and availability.

PM Modi also directed officials to ensure oxygen supply to states in a smooth and unhindered manner. “Fix responsibility with local administration in cases of obstruction,” PM Modi said.

Officials briefed PM Modi on efforts undertaken in the last few weeks to improve oxygen supply, news agency ANI quoted Prime Minister’s Office as saying.

“The PM spoke about the need to work rapidly on multiple aspects: increasing production of oxygen, increasing the speed of distribution and using innovative ways to provide oxygen support to health facilities,” it added.

In the meeting that also discussed ways and means to boost oxygen availability amid demands from many states for an increase in its supply, PM Modi was told that the supply of life-saving gas to states has been steadily increasing.

“PM was informed that exercise is being done in coordination with states to identify their demand for O2 & ensure adequate supply. Against present demand from 20 states of 6,785 MT/day of Liquid Medical Oxygen, GoI, from April 21, has allocated 6,822 MT/day to these states,” the PMO added.