Govt steps in to counter oxygen crisis; MHA directs free movement

India has floated a global tender for procuring 50,000 tonnes of oxygen

On a day when the Union government stepped in to prevent states from hindering the movement of liquid medical oxygen (LMO) to other states, India also placed four orders with foreign suppliers for 2,500 tonnes of the essential commodity. Additionally, from Friday, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will airlift empty oxygen tankers and reach them to industrial units that have switched to producing medical grade oxygen.
 
While one C17 aircraft of the IAF, used for strategic airlift missions and transportation of troops and cargo, would fly from Delhi to Durgapur in West Bengal with empty tankers, the other would