Uttar Pradesh's new Oxygen Production Promotion Policy 2021 has been devised to yield double benefit to the state amid the grave hours of the pandemic. The strategy will help promote both, survival and sustenance, as it will augment the production of medical and industrial oxygen as well as generate jobs. Approved by the cabinet on Saturday evening, the policy enables private investment in the production of medical supplies, on a six-month lease.

To kill two birds with the same stone

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The new policy blueprint was designed by the infrastructure and industrial development department and aims to bolster the supply of medical oxygen amid the high demand due to the second swell of COVID-19. A spokesperson of the government stated that the strategy will enable private investment in liquid oxygen plants, medical oxygen plants, zeolite and cylinder manufacturing, oxygen concentrators and accessories, cryogenic tankers and container manufacturing units.

Reportedly, the government has an estimated daily need of 1,200 tonnes of oxygen based on the requirement of COVID-19 patients in home isolation or hospitals. The Oxygen Production Promotion Policy 2021 will attract investment to the medical industry, acting as a means to an end, effectively.

Financial respite during the pandemic hour

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Meanwhile, the UP government has also decided to extend a maintenance allowance of ₹1,000 for one month to the economically marginalised sections of the society. This will include small shopkeepers, daily wage labourers, rickshaw/e-rickshaw pullers, barbers, washermen, cobblers, confectioners and so on, who have suffered a loss of income during the corona curfew. Reportedly, the state has charted about 1 crore such beneficiaries, who can avail the financial aid.

With the extension of the state lockdown till May 24, the UP government has also announced free ration to eligible Antyodaya and household ration cardholders for up to three months. In addition to this, community kitchens will also continue to provide food to the poor. "The decision has been taken in view of the hardship being faced by the poor and needy people in the situation arising out of the Covid. It will benefit about 15 crore people of the state," the government spokesman said.

-With inputs from IANS