A welcome move: Vedanta ready to supply oxygen for COVID-19 patients

Many companies have begun diverting oxygen supply from their plants to hospitals in various states, since the spike in COVID-19 cases has led to shortage of medical oxygen.

Vedanta has said oxygen plants at the closed Sterlite Copper smelter can be used to meet the spike in demand for medical oxygen used in treatment of COVID-19 patients. Sterlite Copper CEO Pankaj Kumar made this offer in a letter written to Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan.

Vedanta has also written to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, seeking permission to run Sterlite Copper's oxygen plants.

Vedanta has also filed a petition in the Supreme Court in this regard, since their permission to operate the plant is sub-judice. Many companies have begun diverting oxygen supply from their plants to hospitals in various states, since the spike in COVID-19 cases has led to shortage of medical oxygen.

The Centre has banned the supply of oxygen for industrial purposes, except in nine specified industries, with effect from April 22.