MSMEs to assist govt in setting up oxygen plants across state
LUCKNOW : The micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) units across the state are willing to assist in setting up oxygen plants sanctioned by the centre for Uttar Pradesh and are also exploring opportunities to set up their own plants, wherever feasible.
The MSMEs have presence across the state stretching into the hinterland, with around five lakh MSMEs engaged in industrial production.
The state government is also exploring possibilities of engaging MSMEs in setting up small oxygen plants alongside their units, wherever possible.
The MSMEs are also willing to assist the government in setting up medical oxygen plants in 47 districts of the state which have been sanctioned by the PM under the PM-Cares Fund, which was set up last year to collect donations to battle Covid-19.
In addition to this, industry lobby bodies are also willing to set up their own dedicated medical oxygen-generation plants alongside their units, wherever feasible. However, industrialists want the state government’s support in setting up oxygen plants.
“The MSMEs have presence across the state. We have asked our members to explore the possibility of setting up oxygen plants wherever it is required,” said Manmohan Agarwal, senior vice-president, Indian Industries Association (IIA).
“There is an urgency for oxygen plants. Whatever has to be done, the government must decide without delay. To set up a small oxygen plant, we need seven to 10 days and for a big plant we need 15 to 30 days,” said Agarwal.
Some MSME units have vacant spaces on their campuses. The IIA has also asked owners of these units to explore the possibility of setting up small oxygen plants alongside their units.
Meanwhile, after a request from the state government, industrial units across the state have started returning the oxygen that they require for their work to their suppliers. Except those industrial units that are operational and are manufacturing essential commodities, all other industrial units have started returning their oxygen supply.
The state government has allowed the pharmaceutical industry and those manufacturing surgical instruments to continue using their oxygen supply.
According to the IIA, industries in Meerut, Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Shamli, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Modi Nagar, Bareilly, Moradabad and those in other parts of the state have started returning their oxygen cylinders to their suppliers.
Empty oxygen cylinders are also being returned so that they could be refilled for reuse.
The state government has directly connected 285 hospitals in 30 UP districts with 90 MSME units which will supply oxygen to these medical facilities.
We have asked our members to explore the possibility of setting up oxygen plants wherever required
MANMOHAN AGARWAL, sr vice president, IIA