Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Sunday called on Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan at New Delhi to discuss COVID-19 situation in the state.
The Chief Minister thanked the Union Minister and the Central Government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for extending all possible help to the state to fight the pandemic.
After the meeting, the Chief Minister said that the Union Minister has assured to provide 1000 D-type oxygen cylinders out of which 500 cylinders are on the way whereas 500 have been received by the state.
He said that 10 half ton capacity each cryogenic oxygen tanks would be installed in hospitals of the state and 300 oxygen concentrators under the Corporate Social Responsibility funds have also been assured for the state which will further boost the oxygen capacity of the state. Efforts are also being made to procure B-type oxygen cylinders soon if need arises, he added. Thakur said that the Union Minister also assured of sanctioning a State of Art Modern hospital in Himachal at an estimated cost of Rs 60 crore.
The Chief Minister informed that the Union Minister also assured to set up an Ethanol plant of 200 kl capacity with an investment of 200 crore through Hindustan Petroleum in the state. Ethanol plant produces from grains for mixing the same in petrol and diesel which in turn will help in reducing pollution due to vehicular emissions in the state. This will help in protecting the environment in the state, he added.