New Delhi, April 19 -- The Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Sunday has written to Chief Secretaries of States and Administrators of Union Territories reiterating that they should issue necessary instructions to all authorities concerned in their States and Union Territories to take necessary measures to prohibit supply of oxygen for industrial purpose, except in nine industries as allowed by Union Health Ministry.
"This is keeping in view the rapid rise in Covid-19 cases in various parts of the country and the resultant rapid demand for medical oxygen, particularly in high-burden States of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, etc.
"The...