NASHIK: Even though industries in the district have been reopened after the unlock, they are not being utilised even 20 per cent of the approved oxygen quota. As a result, the district administration is appealing to the industries to start the production process efficiently. As per the instructions of the government, 20 per cent oxygen supply has been started to the industrial area from Monday (June. 7).
At present 4.17 metric tonnes of oxygen is being used by the industries and the district administration has provided a quota of 17.59 metric tonnes. Entrepreneurs had demanded a 50 per cent oxygen quota instead of 20 per cent. The question of is being raised by the administration why the additional demand was made be as there is no oxygen uptake of even 20 per cent In view of the increasing incidence of the Corona epidemic, the oxygen supply to the industrial sector was cut off and diverted to the medical sector.
However, now the second Covid-19 wave is subsiding. The situation is normalizing and the demand for oxygen from hospitals has lowered. The situation in the entire state is similar and the government has directed to provide 20 per cent oxygen to the industries. At present, out of those industries which are supplying oxygen to Nashik, four industries are Ravindra Oxygen Sunny Industries, Renewable Industries and Swastik Industries, while the rest are industries distributing oxygen after refilling liquid oxygen from oxygen tankers.
Through all these industries 88.84 metric tonnes of oxygen is being available. Out of this, 34 metric tonnes of oxygen is kept reserved for the medical sector. Out of the rest oxygen, 20 per cent of 9 to 17.5 metric tonnes of oxygen is given for industries. On Tuesday, the industries used only 4.17 metric tonnes of oxygen. As industries are not using 20% of the oxygen fully, the demand for additional oxygen is improper, the district administration is stating.
