BENGALURU: Industries in Karnataka that rely on oxygen operations are trying to resume work because of a lack of this source, even though the government partially lifted constraints on supply weekly.
Managements assert the state government isn’t allowing producers to provide oxygen to businesses despite a sharp reduction in demand for liquid chemical oxygen (LMO) in the aftermath of a second wave.
The country says it’s ongoing with curbs since it needs to guarantee source of LMO to get Covid care.
“We asked the authorities to raise the waiver of industrial oxygen source from 18 percent of generation to 35%.
The government is yet to react,” said Satish Chandra Kesaeri, executive manager, Bhuruka Gases Limited.
In May, all eight producers (two components of Linde Bellary displayed separately in desk ) in Karnataka have been arranged to make just LMO to satisfy demands of Covid care.
With the tide abating, the Centre eased curbs on June 8 and also the country allowed manufacturers to partly provide to businesses.
But this came together with the riders they devote 50 percent of storage capability to LMO provide.
As an example, Bhuruka that generates 65 tonnes per day — 95 percent of that generally goes for industrial use — has been permitted to provide only 18 percent to businesses as it needed to keep stock of over 50 percent of its storage capacity of 160 tonnes for LMO.
In the same way, Universal Air Products, which generates 45 tonnes and also Inox Bellary, having a manufacturing capacity of 50 tonnesthat have been permitted 22 percent and 16% respectively.
No other producers such as JSW Gases Ltd (130 tonnes) have been permitted to provide oxygen to businesses as they couldn’t guarantee falsified inventory of LMO.
This has led to businesses campaigning for oxygen provided they are getting only 15 percent of their everyday need of 200 tonnes.
“We do not know why the government is quitting supply to businesses if there isn’t any requirement for LMO.
It ought to search for judicious usage that assists both pandemic direction and business resurrection,” said Prakash C, president, Peenya Industrial Area Association.
He pointed out that LMO intake has dropped from 1,700 tonnes from mid-May into 473 tonnes on June 17 and just 16,726 of all 49,100 oxygenated beds are busy across Karnataka.
Back in Bengaluru, 657 from 4,913 HDU beds are now occupied.
The state administration, however, says it’s only being wary.
“As demand for LMO decreases, and many industrialists have asked a significant quantity of oxygen be committed for industrial functions.
On the other hand, the govern ment is of the opinion it is too premature to raise limitations given the highest positivity rate in certain districts.” Health ministry K Sudhakar stated.
A fallout of the is a flourishing black market for its rare resource.
Vinod Nowal, deputy managing director, JSW Industrial Gases, points out:”We all know some folks are promoting LMO at Rs 45 percent after purchasing it at Rs 10.
On recordthey purchase for Covid functions but market it to businesses,” he explained.
He explained his firm, with a storage capacity of 1,000 tonnes, couldn’t keep the minimum inventory of LMO because two oxygen crops, that had broken down, have only been usable.
He said it requires no less than a month to achieve the necessary inventory amount.