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TMC, Kashmiri Journalist and propagandists found posting fake images and videos amidst Covid-19 crisis

OpIndia Staff
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TMC, Kashmiri Journalist and propagandists found posting fake images and videos amidst Covid-19 crisis

Misinformation and fear-mongering have become the biggest tools for the opposition parties, left-leaning liberal journalists and propagandist to cause disruption and panic in the country. At the moment, India is facing a Covid-19 pandemic. Amidst such times, everyone needs to restrain themselves from spreading any misinformation. However, some see it as an opportunity to spread their propaganda.

Kashmiri journalist post old photo as recent

A Kashmiri journalist identified as Aarif Shah posted a photograph of an old lady hooked to an oxygen cylinder while sitting on the road. Shah wrote, “This is where India is right now,” suggesting the photo was taken recently. By the time we published this report, Shah had deleted the tweet. However, it had crossed over 1000 RTs by that time. We tried to find if he had posted any apology for the misleading tweet, but he did not.

Aarif deleted the post after backlash.

The same image was shared by the RVCJ group as well, but it seems now they have deleted the post after backlash. In the post, they had written, “nothing can be worse than this.”

RVCJ’s now-deleted post. Source:Spoof_Junkey

TMC’s official Twitter handle of ‘Banglar Gorbo Mamata’ also shared the same image. By the time this report was published, this post was still up on the account.

TMC’s tweet.

When we reverse searched the image, it was found that the photograph was from the 2018 ANI report where a man was allegedly made to wait for an ambulance at Agra Medical College while carrying an oxygen cylinder on his shoulder. The photograph was taken when he kept the cylinder down for a while. We are not saying that there is nothing wrong with what happened in 2018 but passing it as a recent one fuels not only the misinformation but also causes fear among the public.

The report is from 2018. Source: Screenshot from ANI’s 2018 report

Photograph from Maharashtra passed on as from Gujarat

Swara Bhaskar’s friend and Director of Anaarkali Of Aarah, Avinash Das, shared an image on April 20 in which people were seen lying down on the floor with drips attached to their arms. He wrote, “Gujarat model of healthcare! Picture of Tapi district, where corona patients are being treated in tents.”

Misleading tweet by Avinash Das

The same image was shared by the official Twitter handle of ‘Banglar Gorbo Mamata’, which is TMC’s 75-day outreach program. In the tweet, they wrote, “Gujrat. PM Cares?” and used the hashtag #ModiHataoDeshBachao.

TMC’s misleading tweet

When we reverse searched the image, it turned out to be from Navapur, Maharashtra. It was not even about Covid, but it was about treating typhoid patients. Due to the shortage of beds in hospitals amidst rising cases of Covid, the patients had to get treatment in tents. The image is from Maharashtra’s Navapur and is dated April 20, 2021.

Reaction from Netizens

Netizens are criticizing such misleading posts and demanding action against those who have posted them.

What does the law say?

Though India does not have any specific law that can deal with the misinformation, there are some provisions in IPC, IT Act and Disaster Management Act that can be used against such posts.

According to Section 505(1) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, anyone who makes, publishes or circulates any statement, rumours or report that may cause fear or alarm to the public or to any section of the public can be punished with imprisonment that may extend to 3 years or fine or both.

According to the Section 66D of the Information Technology Act, whoever, by means for any communication device or computer resource cheats by impersonating can be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine which may extend to one lakh rupees.

According to Section 54 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, whoever makes or circulates a false alarm or warning as to disaster or its severity or magnitude, leading to panic, can be punished with imprisonment, which may extend to one year or with a fine or both.

Moneycontrol deletes report, NDTV brazens out misleading reports on oxygen export after central government calls out malicious propaganda

OpIndia Staff
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Moneycontrol deletes report, NDTV brazens out misleading reports on oxygen export after central government calls out malicious propaganda

Several media outlets recently made misleading assertions that India had exported a large quantity of medical oxygen from January 2021 to March 2021. The reports by mainstream media organisations, including Moneycontrol, News 18 and NDTV, suggested that India had exported nearly 9,300 MT of oxygen in the financial year ending 31st March 2021. Some reports also claimed that India exported 9,884 MT of medical oxygen from January 2021 to March 2021. These reports were used and propagated by opposition leaders to attack the Modi govt, accusing the govt of exporting oxygen at time the country is facing a shortage of the commodity.

The reports of oxygen exports were staunchly refuted by the Indian government, who termed the reports as misleading and asserted that malicious propaganda is being spread regarding the export of oxygen by India during the pandemic. It further slammed the media organisations who peddled the falsehoods, claiming that they had mistaken industrial oxygen for medicinal oxygen.

After the Indian government termed the reports of oxygen exports as misleading, Moneycontrol deleted its original article and expressed regret for portraying a misleading picture of the industrial oxygen exports from India.

“This article has been deleted because it portrayed a misleading picture of industrial oxygen exports from India and was causing unnecessary panic. The export of oxygen for largely industrial purposes in the first three quarters of 2020-21 (April 2020 to January 2021) was to the extent of 9,294 metric tonnes. This represented a little more than one day’s production capacity in the country. The article should not have been published in the first place. The error is regretted,” the corrigendum posted by Moneycontrol read.

The corrigendum came in the wake of a report published by Moneycontrol which claimed that India exported nearly 9,300 metric tonnes of oxygen in the first three months of 2021. Money Control did not specify whether the exported oxygen was medical oxygen, fit for patients, thereby adding to the panic.

The misleading news about India’s oxygen exports was also shared by habitual fake news peddler NDTV. However, instead of showing basic courtesy of apologising for spreading misinformation, NDTV brazened out the lies it had spread about India’s oxygen export.

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Even after the government clarification on the misleading reports about the oxygen exports, NDTV ran a story alleging that India’s oxygen exports rose to over 700 per cent in January 2021 as compared to 2020.

Media outlets mistake industrial oxygen for medicinal oxygen to allege that GoI exported oxygen in the midst of pandemic

On April 21, the Government of India had rubbished the claims that India exported 9,884 MT of medical oxygen from January 2021 to March 2021. It said that malicious propaganda is being spread that India had exported scarce medical oxygen during the pandemic year of 2020-21. “This is absolutely false and industrial oxygen exports are being mistaken as medical oxygen,” the central government said.

The sources in government further added that there are two categories of exports of liquid oxygen that are medical and others (industrial). During April-February 2020-21, India indeed exported 9884 MT of industrial oxygen, but the amount of medical oxygen exported was only 12 MT.

Majority of these industrial oxygen export was in December & January when medical oxygen consumption reduced to 1418 MT/day from 2675 MT/day in September. Against near 7000 MT/day capacity, this resulted in no threat to medical oxygen supply while protecting jobs in the oxygen industry.

India becomes the fastest country in the world to administer over 13 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses: Centre

OpIndia Staff
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India becomes the fastest country in the world to administer over 13 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses: Centre

India is one of the fastest countries to administer over 13 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses, taking only 95 days to do so, the Union Health Ministry said on Wednesday. All these doses have been given free by GoI to state governments.

The United States took 101 days while China took 109 days to administer these many doses, the ministry said.

As per the provisional report cited by the government, cumulatively, India has administered 13,01,19,310 doses through 19,01,413 sessions.

Out of these 13 crore people who have been vaccinated, 92,01,728 are the healthcare workers(HCWs) who have taken their first doses. There are 58,17,262 HCWs who have received their second dose as well. The number also includes 1,15,62,535 frontline workers (FLWs) who have got their first dose and 58,55,821 FLWs who have taken their second dose.

Besides, 4,73,55,942 people above the age of 60 have been administered the first done and 53,04,679 the second dose.

In the age group 45-60, 4,35,25,687 beneficiaries have taken their first dose and 14,95,656 the second dose.

The ministry also said eight states—Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, West Bengal, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Kerala—account for 59.25 per cent of the total doses given in the country so far.

On the 95th day(April 20) itself, 29,90,197 vaccine doses were administered, which include 19,86,711 beneficiaries across 42,384 sessions for the first dose, and 10,03,486 for the second dose.

The country’s vaccination drive was embarked on January 16, with healthcare workers(HCWs) being amongst the first to be vaccinated. The vaccination for the frontline workers(FLWs) started from February 2.

In the subsequent phase of the vaccination drive that started on March 1, people over 60 years of age, and people aged 45 and above with specified comorbid conditions, were made eligible for the inoculation.

For people above the age of 45, India launched vaccination from April 1.

Now, the government has announced vaccination for everyone above the age of 18 starting May 1. Even after 1st May, GoI will continue giving all vaccine doses in its 50% quota to states for free.

The additional quota provides states with flexibility which most of the states had demanded, to customise their vaccination drive as health is a state subject.

Netflix stock dips due to a dramatic slowdown in subscriber addition, company blames production delays due to Covid-19

OpIndia Staff
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Netflix stock dips due to a dramatic slowdown in subscriber addition, company blames production delays due to Covid-19

The video-streaming platform Netflix saw its shares fall as much as 11% in after-hours trading yesterday after reporting only 3.98 million new global subscribers last quarter, a far cry from the 6.2 million additions anticipated by Wall Street analysts. The company also said that it expects only 1 million new subscribers over the next quarter.

Netflix has blamed this slowdown in subscribers on the Coronavirus pandemic, attributing the production delays of its big-ticket movies and TV shows to COVID-19.

“We believe paid membership growth slowed due to the big Covid-19 pull forward in 2020 and a lighter content slate in the first half of this year, due to Covid-19 production delays,” said Netflix in a letter to its shareholders.

Analysts believe that Netflix is facing increasing competition in the video streaming market, especially in the U.S., with Disney’s Disney+ and Hulu, AT&T’s HBO Max, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime, and Comcast NBCUniversal’s Peacock all competing for subscribers. However, the company has denied this factor in its report, saying that it doesn’t believe competition played a factor in the below-par subscriber numbers.

“We don’t believe competitive intensity materially changed in the quarter or was a material factor in the variance as the over-forecast was across all of our regions,” said Netflix.

The streaming giant expects to bounce back in the second half of 2021, with content delayed due to Covid-19 delays slated to return.

“As we’ve noted previously, the production delays from Covid-19 in 2020 will lead to a 2021 slate that is more heavily second-half weighted with a large number of returning franchises,” the company added.

The company said that production has resumed and running in nearly all of its major markets. Netflix said that it expects to spend more than $17 billion in cash on content this year.

‘Chacha mayor hain hamare’: Raipur mayor’s nephew Shoaib Dhebar misbehaves with cops when caught without mask, video viral

OpIndia Staff
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‘Chacha mayor hain hamare’: Raipur mayor’s nephew Shoaib Dhebar misbehaves with cops when caught without mask, video viral

In an embarrassing video that has gone viral on social media, Raipur mayor Aijaz Dhebar’s nephew can be seen roaming without a mask in public, flouting this basic covid norm.

Additionally, on being caught by the police, Shoaib Dhebar reportedly dialled his uncle to come to his rescue and misbehaved with the cops.

Shoaib Dhebar threatened the police on being stopped for stepping out without a mask in public amid the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic which has left Chhattisgarh as one of the worst affected states in the country. 

Shoaib who was accompanied by a pillion rider can be heard saying that he was on his way to purchase a mask when questioned by a cop. He can be seen yelling at a cop for allegedly ‘mistreating’ him. 

Chalan of Rs 5?

A social media user shared that Shoaib was let go after being fined for a mere Rs.5. The user has also tweeted an image of the Chalan.

However, some media reports have stated that the Rs 5 Chalan was made by mistake and later another image had surfaced on social media where it was shown that Shoaib was fined Rs 500. The police commissioner has reportedly stated that he is not aware of the incident.

Calling it an unfortunate incident, Aijaz Dhebar tweeted saying, “law is the same for everyone, whether it is a relative of mine or the Prime Minister.”

He further added that at a time of crisis one must respect the frontline warriors and that his nephew has been warned for his misbehaviour.

Not sure which law is being talked about here as the fine for not wearing a mask in a public place in Chhattisgarh was increased five times to Rs 500 in March. The decision was taken after the state of Chhattisgarh was hit hard by the second wave of the pandemic. The state has been recording over 100 deaths every day since April 10.

Kerala professor compares Modi with Hitler and right-wing with Nazi Germany in lecture to students, spews venom on Hindus and ‘Hindu parties’

OpIndia Staff
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Kerala professor compares Modi with Hitler and right-wing with Nazi Germany in lecture to students, spews venom on Hindus and ‘Hindu parties’

Gilbert Sebastian is an assistant professor at the Central University of Kerala. He is also the Secretary of the Central University of Kerala Teachers Association, (CUKTA) Kasaragod. A Post Doctoral fellow from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Sebastian teaches in the Department of International Relations and Politics. A purported audio clip of one of his lectures on Fascism and Nazism in which he continuously spewed venom against Hindus, Swastika, Hindutva, RSS, BJP and other Hindu organisations went viral on social media.

OpIndia got access to the audio of half of his lecture and the slideshows that he allegedly used during the lecture. Sebastian claimed that across the world, ‘Right Wing’ governments were coming into power and called it “Right-Wing resurgence in the world”.

Right-Wing comes to power because of middle and business class

In his lecture, Sebastian claimed that to come to power, Right Wing uses lucrative promises. He gave the example of the great depression of the 1930s during which Benito Mussolini in Italy and Adolf Hitler in Nazi Germany came to power. He claimed these Right Wing political parties promised jobs, better income and infrastructure to come to power. Not only the middle-class but the corporate world also helped them to win the elections.

Screenshot from Sebastian lecture’s slideshow

Sebastian claimed that the same tactics were used by the Bharatiya Janata Party to win the elections in India. He claimed BJP won the elections on the pretext of jobs and infrastructure, but they have done nothing since they came in power.

Interestingly, Sebastian completely ignored the fact that since the Modi-led BJP government came into power in 2014, India has progressed in several sectors. Distributing electricity connections, gas connections, homes, DBT for different government schemes, soil health cards, multiple AIIMS, improved road infrastructure, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and several other schemes have helped India to improve its position in terms of infrastructure. Blinded with the hate for BJP, Sebastian continued to mislead his students.

BJP does appeasement to attract Dalits and working-class – claimed Sebastian

Sebastian claimed in Kerala and other South Indian states, as people are educated, they do not support BJP. Mainly Dalits and the working class do not trust BJP, he added. However, nowadays, some Dalits and the working-class are supporting the party, but that is because of the political appeasement BJP does. According to him, Dalits can be lured to vote for BJP by appeasement.

A similar statement was made by a TMC leader recently. On April 10, TMC leader Sujata Mondal Khan had labelled Dalits as ‘beggars by nature and claimed that they sold themselves to the BJP. She said, “There is a saying that some are beggars by nature while others are beggars by circumstance. The Scheduled Castes here are beggars by nature.”

The fake information on Hindu Holy Symbol Swastika

During his lecture, when Sebastian talked about the Nazi’s Hakenkreuz, he referred it to as Swastika and tried to make it look like that both the symbols are the same. When he mentioned Hakenkreuz as Swastika at the very beginning of the lecture, he asked the students if they know where else this symbol is used. For a few seconds, no one spoke up. He again asked them if they are aware of who uses the symbol. One of the students said that it is used in temples, but he did not take the name of any religion.

Screenshot from Sebastian lecture’s slideshow

Irked by the fact that no one was ready to say anything on the blunt misleading comparison, he again forced the students to speak up. One of the students spoke up, but he was not audible. Then he asked the student to write it in the comment section on Zoom. The student said the Swastika symbol represents Kali or Shakti, whom he referred to as the ‘Black Female Goddess’.

There are two aspects of this part of his lectures that are incorrect. First of all, Hakenkreuz is NOT Swastika. It is the hooked cross. There was no reason for a Catholic party to adopt a sign from Hinduism. The second aspect is what Swastika represents.

Contrary to what Sebastian taught in his lecture, Swatika comprises of ‘su’ meaning ”good” and ‘asti’ meaning ”to be”. In other words, well-being. It dates back some 6,000 years to rock and cave paintings. Scholars generally agree it originated in India.

It has also meant a symbol of good luck, prosperity and all things auspicious for other ancient cultures, including the Vikings and Greeks, besides Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. It finds mentions in the Vedas as well. It symbolises many things like Surya (the sun) and Brahma, the creator. It is seen as a power symbol and is also the emblem of Ganesha, the god of good luck. In both Hinduism and Jainism, the Swastika is used to mark the opening pages of account books, doors and thresholds.

‘RSS is the ‘Brows Shirts’ of India’ – said Sebastian

He further said that, unlike other political formations, fascism uses semi-autonomous civil society groups as militant outfits. For example, the Blackshirts in Italy and the Brown Shirts in Germany. He proceeded and put the RSS & VHP in India in the same category. He also claimed that RSS was inspired by Adolf Hitler and subtly compared the brown shirts of Nazis with RSS’s attire.

Screenshot from Sebastian lecture’s slideshow

‘Hindu parties have militant outfits’

Sebastian said Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS) is the mother of all Hindu parties in India. BJP is the political outfit of RSS. He did not stop there and claimed that Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal are militant groups of RSS. He further alleged that the Hindu NRIs sitting abroad send money for VHP and Bajrang Dal to create unrest in the country.

He claimed that BJP is only at the front of RSS. Many autonomous Hindu bodies in India allegedly do the dirty work for RSS. He added that Congress itself is the main organisation. But in RSS, there are a lot of autonomous bodies that work under the main organisation.

Screenshot from Sebastian lecture’s slideshow

Then came the most bizarre statement. He claimed that as BJP is only the political front, someday, RSS will announce that there will be no elections in the country and will abolish BJP. “They might do that. I am serious. They might do that,” he said. He claimed that as the autonomous bodies under RSS do the dirty work, the organisation is able to present itself with a clean image.

Screenshot from Sebastian lecture’s slideshow

He also blamed Bajrang Dal for the 2002 riots in Gujarat. Sebastian conveniently ignored the fact that the riots in 2002 were not initiated by any Hindu organisation. They happened in the aftermath of the Godhra train burning incident in which 59 innocent Kar Sewaks were burnt alive by a large Muslim mob.

North Indian Hindus are the root cause of atrocities against women in India

Sebastian claimed that the Hindus living in North India are the root cause of atrocities against women in India. He gave the example of the Nirbhaya case. He said one of the main accused was regular with his daily ‘pooja path’. In the documentary, India’s daughter, that accused claimed that the answer to women like Nirbhaya is rape. “But he used to do pooja path. What kind of hypocrisy was that?” he added.

During his lecture, he kept spewing venom against India, BJP, RSS, Hindus and other Hindu organisations. He spread misinformation about Swastika and Hindus. He tried to paint Hindus as criminals, uneducated, ill-informed and rioters. As OpIndia only got hold of half of his lecture, it is not known what he had said in the remaining lecture.

After mishandling the coronavirus outbreak in Maharashtra, the MVA government to import foreign Covid-19 vaccines

OpIndia Staff
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After mishandling the coronavirus outbreak in Maharashtra, the MVA government to import foreign Covid-19 vaccines

Days after allegedly harassing the director of Daman-based pharma company Bruck Pharmaceuticals over the supply of Remdesivir vials to Maharashtra, the Maha Vikas Aghadi government on Tuesday announced that it will import vaccines from other countries and divert funds from all the departments to carry out an extensive vaccination drive.

The decision came after the central government made the vaccines accessible to the entire adult population of the country. Welcoming the decision, Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope said the state cabinet on Tuesday decided to conduct an “exemplary vaccination drive”. He further added that if required the state government will cut down funds of all other departments to ensure the availability of vaccines for people.

Tope was quoted by Indian Express as saying those between 18-45 years of age can get vaccinated for Rs 400 in government hospitals and for Rs 600 at private hospitals. He also added that presently, Covishield and Covaxin are available and if needed, the state will import other vaccines. Sputnik will cost Rs 1750 per dose.

Tope said that the Maha government will try to procure Sputnik, Pfizer and Moderna doses too.

Tope had earlier stated that the plan of the state government was to inoculate 7 lakh people every day but due to the supply constraints, it could only vaccinate about 3 lakh people. The health minister added that the state would like to follow the model adopted by the United Kingdom in vaccinating its people after witnessing a dangerous spike in the COVID-19 cases last year.

“Today, 60 per cent of the UK’s population is vaccinated. Very few new cases are being detected, while the death toll is in single digits. The entire country was kept under lockdown for three months and the vaccination drive was carried out on a massive scale,” he said.

“We have decided to cut the expenses of all the departments and divert the funds for vaccine procurement. We will not limit our plans only to the two vaccines that are manufactured in the country (Covishield and Covaxin),” he said.

Maharashtra among the worst-affected states by the coronavirus pandemic

Maharashtra is among the worst-affected states by the coronavirus pandemic, with more than 50,000 new cases being reported daily in the last two weeks. The decision to import vaccines from abroad was taken even as the state government is facing criticism from several quarters for its bungled handling of the coronavirus outbreak that inevitably led to such a dire situation in the state.

Last week, Mumbai Police detained and questioned the director of Daman-based pharma company Bruck Pharmaceuticals over the supply of Remdesivir vials, one of the anti-viral drugs prescribed to some patients with severe symptoms of Chinese coronavirus. While Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis alleged that the director was arrested because BJP managed to get permissions in place for the supply of the drug to Maharashtra, Mumbai Police claims they only ‘questioned’ him because of rampant black marketing of the drug.

Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders weave conspiracy theories to escape being held responsible for the shortages of crucial medicines

In an attempt to discredit the opposition parties and paint the director of the Pharma company as a crook, elaborate lies and conspiracy theories were floated by the Maha Vikas Aghadi ministers, Congress stooges like and serial petitioner Saket Gokhale, to allege that the supply of Remdesivir procured by Devendra Fadnavis was meant for Gujarat and not Maharashtra.

However, Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration Minister and NCP leader Dr Rajendra Shingne’s admission put all conspiracy theories triggered by his own government and the alliance leaders to rest. In an interview to News18 Lokmat on Tuesday, Dr Rajendra Shingne admitted that the Remdesivir procured by the opposition party Bhartiya Janta Party was indeed intended for the Maharashtra government, and he was aware of the same.

“I was aware of it. The BJP leaders had met me at my house along with the manufacturers’ representatives. They offered to help us procure the Remdesivir stocks for the state government and I agreed to it. The entire process was done following all rules, with due permissions and with genuine intentions to help the citizens,” he informed much to MVA’s dismay. 

Nashik: Oxygen leaks from tanker, 22 patients dead as ventilators were stopped

OpIndia Staff
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Nashik: Oxygen leaks from tanker, 22 patients dead as ventilators were stopped

An oxygen tanker leaked while being filled at Dr Zakir Hussain Hospital, Nashik on Wednesday afternoon. Officials are said to have reached the spot where the mishap took place and operations are underway to contain the leak. 

As per the latest reports, at least 22 people have died of oxygen deprivation as the tank leak had stopped ventilators. Reports stated that ventilators in the hospital were stopped for at least 30 minutes. District Collector of Nashik has stated that the patients have succumbed to oxygen deprivation.

The state of Maharashtra is facing an acute shortage of oxygen amid the second wave of coronavirus which has crippled the health infrastructure. 

The state has over 60,000 people on oxygen support in hospitals and many others on oxygen support at home. The shortage of oxygen has forced several hospitals to stop new admissions as the current supply is said to last for only a few hours.

Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope said, “We’re anticipating that 15% of currently active cases may need oxygen. As of now, we have arrangements of 1550 MT of oxygen in the state. We’re trying to distribute the same. We’re also expecting the Oxygen which Govt of India will import.”

On the other hand, Maharashtra Health Secretary Dr Pradeep Vyas advised, “We need restraint (in oxygen use) to avoid panic. Panic and anxiety increase demand.”

State governments, private players and central ministries come together to battle the crisis

Maharashtra is reportedly receiving 50 MT a day of liquid medical oxygen from Chhattisgarh, and another 50 MT a day from Gujarat. 

Reliance Industries Ltd., which operates the world’s biggest refining complex in Gujarat, is supplying 100 MT of oxygen from Jamnagar to Maharashtra at no cost.

Apart from Reliance, Tata Steel, Jindal Steel, ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel and SAIL have also come forward to supply oxygen to states for medical use.

Sajjan Jindal-led JSW Steel, from its Dolvi plant in Maharashtra, is supplying 185 tonne of oxygen daily to the state government. 

In an attempt to plug the shortage, the Centre’s Empowered Group-2 has decided to divert over 17,000 MT of LMO to the 12 surge states in three phases between April 20-30.

7 empty oxygen tankers departed from Kalamboli goods yard for Visakhapatnam steel plant on Tuesday setting into motion the Railway Ministry’s ‘Oxygen Express’ initiative. These tankers will be loaded with medical oxygen for Maharashtra and return through the green corridor created for an uninterrupted supply of oxygen to the state.

Haryana Health Minister accuses Kejriwal-led Delhi Government of ‘looting’ oxygen tanker

OpIndia Staff
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Haryana Health Minister accuses Kejriwal-led Delhi Government of ‘looting’ oxygen tanker

Today, Haryana’s Health Minister Anil Vij launched a scathing attack on the Delhi government, accusing the neighbouring state of “looting” an oxygen tanker that was en route to Faridabad. In order to counter this alleged loot, the Haryana government has ordered police protection for all oxygen tankers.

“We are being forced to give our oxygen to Delhi. First, we’ll complete our needs, then give to others. Yesterday, one of our O2 tankers was looted by Delhi Govt that was going to Faridabad. From now, I’ve ordered police protection for all tankers,” said Anil Vij.

Yesterday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had expressed concern over Delhi’s limited oxygen supply, saying that, “hospitals are left with just a few hours of oxygen.”

“Serious oxygen crisis persists in Delhi. I again urge centre to urgently provide oxygen to Delhi. Some hospitals are left with just a few hours of oxygen,” wrote Kejriwal yesterday.

Delhi is currently undergoing a week-long lockdown which was imposed on Monday, imposed by CM Kejriwal in light of an exponential surge in Coronavirus cases. Just a few days ago, Delhi recorded its highest ever surge of the pandemic yet, with 25,462 fresh COVID-19 cases recorded in a day.

No, Indian govt did not export medical oxygen as country grappled coronavirus pandemic. Here are the facts

OpIndia Staff
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No, Indian govt did not export medical oxygen as country grappled coronavirus pandemic. Here are the facts

On April 21, the Government of India has rubbished the claims that India exported 9,884 MT of medical oxygen from January 2021 to March 2021. Some reports in mainstream media have suggested that India has exported nearly 9,300 MT of oxygen in financial year ending 31st March 2021.

Misleading report by Money Control

On April 20, 2021, Moneycontrol claimed that India exported nearly 9,300 metric tonnes of oxygen in first three months of 2021. Money Control did not specify whether the exported oxygen was medical oxygen, fit for patients, thereby adding to panic.

Misleading report by News 18

Similar report was shared by News18 citing moneycontrol report. Soon, the article was shared by many social media users, thereby creating a panic-like situation in India where medical oxygen is currently facing supply issues.

Misleading tweet by Sanjay Jha

According government, however, these reports are misleading. As per sources the media reports are passing off industrial grade oxygen for medical oxygen and the two are completely different.

The sources in government further added that there are two categories of exports of liquid oxygen that are medical and others (industrial). During April-February 2020-21, India indeed exported 9884 MT of industrial oxygen, but the amount of medical oxygen exported was only 12 MT.

The annual export of medical oxygen only comprises of 0.4% of the total annual production capacity in the country. The majority of the industrial oxygen exports took place in December 2020, and January 2021 was the medical oxygen consumption in India had reduced by half to 1418 MT/day from a peak of 2,675 MT/day in September 2020.

The dramatic reduction in the supply at the time when India had a production capacity of 7000 MT/day allowed India to export oxygen as there was no threat to medical oxygen supply. It also helped in protecting jobs in the oxygen industry.

As per the government stats, India exported 15,000 MT tonnes of oxygen in 2016-17 while the export of medical oxygen was 229.82 in the same period.

Annual stats of oxygen support

In the next few years, the demand for oxygen reduced, resulting in a fall in export. In 2019-20 India exported 4,328 MT of oxygen while medical oxygen export during the same period was only 9.62 MT.

Industrial oxygen cannot be used for medical purposes

In a letter reffered to the Railway plant which wanted to use its industrial supply for medical purposes, PK Borah, Deputy General Manager, Premier Cryogenics Ltd. said, that Industrial Liquid Oxygen cannot be used for Medical purposes.

Letter by PK Borah, Premier Cyrogenics Ltd

In his letter, he said that their tankers are supplying industrial liquid oxygen and the same cannot be used for medical purposes.

The government of India has banned oxygen export

Amidst the rise in Covid-19 cases, the Government of India has already banned the use of Oxygen in industries except nine. The government of India has ramped up the oxygen production in India by several folds to meet the demand. Notably, corporate has also come forward to help in oxygen supply.

Tata, Reliance, Jindal and other corporate houses have diverted industrial oxygen to medical oxygen production so that it can help in saving the lives of Covid-19 patients. State governments like Uttar Pradesh and Government agencies like DRDO are also establishing oxygen generation plants in hospitals to ensure uninterrupted oxygen supply.

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