Govt: No pendency of oxygen concentrators with Customs

In all, 3000 oxygen concentrators have been received from various countries as global aid to support efforts of Indian govt and States and UTs in their collective fight against the global pandemic

The health ministry on Thursday refuted reports that oxygen concentrators are pending at the customs warehouse for getting clearance from the customs authorities.

The news is totally incorrect, not based on facts and without any basis, it said.

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has clarified that there is no such pendency with the Customs. The Customs is swiftly clearing all consignments and no such figures of pendency exist across any port of import.

In all, 3000 oxygen concentrators have been received from various countries as global aid to support efforts of the Indian Government and the States and UTs in their collective fight against the global pandemic.

Of these Mauritius has sent 200 oxygen concentrators, Russia (20), UK has sent in four consignments (95+120+280+174), 80 from Romania, 700 from Ireland, Thailand (30), China (1000) and Uzbekistan (151). In addition, Taiwan has sent 150. The oxygen concentrators are either delivered to the identified tertiary care institutions, or been dispatched for delivery. The relief material has been dispatched through road and air too. There are no oxygen concentrators lying in the warehouse of the Customs Department, it was clarified.

Sri Lanka bans Indian travellers

The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) on Thursday announced its decision to suspend all Indian travellers from entering the country with immediate effect in an effort to curb the spread of the Indian Covid-19 variant.

The announcement comes as India is struggling to battle a second deadlier wave of the pandemic.