The Economic Times reported that the Karnataka Government’s Principal Secretary to the Revenue Department (Disaster Management) N Manjunatha Prasad has issued a notice to JSW Steel’s Deputy Managing Director pointing out the lapse in oxygen supply. The government has warned of stern action against the steel mill under the provisions of the Disaster Management Act, if the company failed to meet its commitment. According to the notice, supplies from JSW's units in Vijayanagar, on some days, were less than half of the actual allocation of 580 tonnes a day. The notice said “Any shortfall in supply, particularly from JSW Steel Ltd, cannot be offset from other sources. The shortfall in supply is likely to jeopardise treatment of Covid-19 patients in the state. The company had created a precarious situation, endangering the lives of Covid patients. It should ensure the supply obligation within 24 hours of receiving the notice, failing which it warned of initiating legal action against the company.” An official in charge of oxygen supply in the state said the company might have been diverting oxygen for steel manufacturing. The state has been heavily relying on the JSW plants for medical oxygen, with the company accounting for 70% of the central government’s liquid medical oxygen allocation to Karnataka (830 tonnes) from plants within the state. The company supplies medical oxygen to the state government from its three plants in Bellary district, including two Praxair units.
The Economic Times reported that the Karnataka Government’s Principal Secretary to the Revenue Department (Disaster Management) N Manjunatha Prasad has issued a notice to JSW Steel’s Deputy Managing Director pointing out the lapse in oxygen supply. The government has warned of stern action against the steel mill under the provisions of the Disaster Management Act, if the company failed to meet its commitment. According to the notice, supplies from JSW's units in Vijayanagar, on some days, were less than half of the actual allocation of 580 tonnes a day. The notice said “Any shortfall in supply, particularly from JSW Steel Ltd, cannot be offset from other sources. The shortfall in supply is likely to jeopardise treatment of Covid-19 patients in the state. The company had created a precarious situation, endangering the lives of Covid patients. It should ensure the supply obligation within 24 hours of receiving the notice, failing which it warned of initiating legal action against the company.” An official in charge of oxygen supply in the state said the company might have been diverting oxygen for steel manufacturing. The state has been heavily relying on the JSW plants for medical oxygen, with the company accounting for 70% of the central government’s liquid medical oxygen allocation to Karnataka (830 tonnes) from plants within the state. The company supplies medical oxygen to the state government from its three plants in Bellary district, including two Praxair units.
