'Delhi's Oxygen Supply Diverted,' Alleges Kejriwal; To Meet L-G Today To Discuss Weekday Restrictions

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Lt Governor Anil Baijal will hold a meeting with senior government officers today over the coronavirus situation in the national capital.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal (File Photo)

Covid Crisis: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will hold a meeting with Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Monday at 11 am to discuss the Corovid situation and issues in the national capital. The meeting is being held to possibly discuss continuing restrictions, including the curfew, in the light of the unprecedented surge in Covid-19 cases, which has led to a severe shortage of oxygen supply, according to the sources.

Kejriwal had last week announced a weekend curfew to curb a worrying surge in Covid-19 cases in Delhi. The curfew began at 10 pm on Friday and will continue till 6 am on Monday, while essential services were exempted from the curbs.. Speculations are being made that the curfew might be extended to weekdays considering the huge spike in covid cases and increase in death rate.

Kejriwal alleges Delhi's quota of medical oxygen is being diverted to other states

 Delhi Chief Minister on Sunday alleged that the Centre has reduced Delhi's quota of medical oxygen and diverted it to other states. He also wrote to Union Minister Piyush Goyal, alleging that 140 Metric Tonnes of Oxygen meant for Delhi was diverted to other states and should be restored. The national capital, he said, is facing an acute shortage of oxygen, and declared the issue has become "an emergency".

In his letter to Union Minister Piyush Goyal,  Kejriwal wrote: "The output of M/s Inox, one of the major suppliers to various hospitals of Delhi, has been largely diverted to other states. At this critical juncture, it would not be possible for hospitals to enter into contractual arrangements with the new suppliers who have now been assigned to Delhi".

The disruption, he added, has started causing "critical shortage" across major hospitals.

"I would request you to kindly look into the matter personally and give appropriate instructions to all concerned for ensuring uninterrupted supply of 700 MT of Oxygen on daily basis and restoration of 140 MT of Oxygen by M/s Inox to Delhi..." he added.

Earlier during the day, Kejriwal informed that there are less than 100 ICU beds available in hospitals to treat coronavirus patients.

At present, only 1,800 of 10,000 central government hospital beds are reserved for coronavirus patients, he added.

Delhi on Sunday recorded the biggest jump in its daily Covid-19 tally with 25,462 fresh cases, and 161 people died due to the disease in the last 24 hours, while the positivity rate also shot up to 29.74 per cent. Around 20,159 people have recovered from the infection. There are a total of 74,941 active cases in the national capital and the death toll jumped to 12,121.

(with PTI inputs)