The second wave: Govt eases procurement norms for key Covid-19 supplies

Union commerce and industry ministry on Monday said it has relaxed general financial rules and removed all restrictive provisions to enable procurement of critical Covid-19 related supplies.

Besides, bank guarantees have been waived off for all procurement.

"100% payment of advance has been approved for critical Covid-19 procurement. Procurement on nomination basis has been permitted in case of constrained supply market," an official statement said.

Amid a rapid rise in Covid-19 cases and shortage of key medical and pharmaceutical supplies, the government has been taking steps to improve oxygen production, enhancing tanker availability to optimize logistics, improving oxygen storage at