“There is no shortage of oxygen in any COVID hospital, be it private or government. The problem is black marketing and hoarding, which will be tackled with a heavy hand” said the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister.
Amidst reports of shortage of oxygen in many hospitals of Uttar Pradesh, CM Yogi Adityanath has rubbished the reports and clarified that no hospital, private or public, is facing a shortage of oxygen.
Speaking to editors of various media houses virtually, Adityanath, who himself tested positive on April 13, said that he has asked government officials to penalize individuals and take action under the National Security Act against āanti-social elementsā involved in āblack-marketeeringā of medicines. He has also directed them to “seize the property” of those spreading rumors.
“There is no shortage of oxygen in any COVID hospital, be it private or government. The problem is black marketing and hoarding, which will be tackled with a heavy hand” said the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister.
In his interaction, Mr. Adityanath referred to a private hospital that had reported a shortage of oxygen two days ago. Upon checking, it was found that the hospital had sufficient oxygen, he claimed.
āDue to such people, fear is increasing among the public. Even those who donāt need it, are worried about oxygen cylinders,ā he said.
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He also said that the UP government will conduct an oxygen audit in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, IIM Lucknow and IIT BHU for “monitoring of oxygen” and a “system of live-tracking of oxygen demand, supply and distribution” will also be implemented.
The state police have started implementing the orders of the CM said it had so far arrested 42 individuals and recovered 239 oxygen cylinders and 688 vials of Remdesivir.
“It appears like there is an attempt to tarnish the image of the government,ā said ADG, Law and Order, Prashant Kumar, in a video statement.
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