Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia alleged that despite the Centre increasing the oxygen quota of Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh Governments are stopping the supply of oxygen to the city hospitals.
The Minister appealed to the Central Government to stop Jungle Raj of Haryana and UP Governments and ensure a smooth supply of oxygen to Delhi. “I request the Center to ensure its delivery even if the paramilitary force has to be deployed,” he said.
Delhi only received 177 metric ton of oxygen supply instead of its quota of 378 metric ton till Wednesday, Sisodia said on Thursday, while making an appeal to the Central Government to intervene and stop UP and Haryana Government from “hoarding” and “monopolizing” oxygen supply designated for Delhi.
Sisodia said, “There is a fight for oxygen supply and this is because, even after increasing the oxygen quote by Central Government, there are some states that are stopping oxygen supply to reach hospitals in Delhi.
“Several hospitals in Delhi now see a dearth of oxygen supply. There is no oxygen left anymore. I have received many messages from hospitals such as Saroj Hospital, Rathi Hospital, UK Hospital, Jeevan Hospital etc have informed they do not not have oxygen supply left anymore. Delhi Government has been arranging cylinders for these and many other hospitals. Internal arrangements are makeshift arrangements which are not long-term solutions. Government and Private Hospitals in Delhi have very limited supply of oxygen now,” he added.
The Deputy Chief Minister further said, “The question is that if the Central Government increased the quota of oxygen in Delhi and many other States then why are some States like Haryana and UP are behaving as if we are all fighting among each other?
He also accused officials of UP Government of stopping delivery from reaching Delhi Modi Nagar Oxygen Plant in UP a day before yesterday.
“Haryana Government officials did not let oxygen supply reach Delhi from the Panipat plant until 12 am. Even if we do not think about the oxygen quota for a second, Delhi Government’s previous oxygen quota was 378 metric ton, as decided by the Central Government. But until yesterday, only 177 metric ton of oxygen could be delivered to Delhi because of the gross misconduct of Haryana and UP Government officials in stopping oxygen delivery to Delhi,” he said.
The reason why there is limited supply of oxygen even today is because Haryana and UP Government have created a Jungle Raj to stop oxygen supply from reaching Delhi, he said, adding that police and officials of UP and Haryana Government are stopping trucks, supposed to take oxygen to Delhi, from loading oxygen.
“Delhi Government officials have tried speaking to officials from UP and Haryana Government but the situation on ground remains to be the same. Our tankers are standing outside and only tankers from Haryana Government are being allowed to enter oxygen plant in Haryana,” he said.
He also appealed to the Central Government to intervene in this matter.