New Delhi: The Finance ministry Monday rejected social media posts claiming that a consignment of 3,000 Oxygen concentrators has been held up with the Customs authorities, adding that the matter was raised before Delhi High Court where the government counsel clarified that no such consignment was pending clearance by the customs authorities.
The ministry, however, clarified that a consignment of 300 Oxygen concentrators were indeed brought to the country on an Indigo flight from Hong Kong on April 30 which was promptly cleared by Delhi Custom officials.
“No consignment of 3,000 Oxygen Concentrators is lying with the Customs authorities as alleged in social media posts, said the finance ministry.
In a statement, the ministry clarified that the matter was raised before Delhi High Court where it was clarified that no such consignment has been held up with the authorities.
“We have again checked with our field formations and there is no such consignment lying with the Customs,” the finance ministry said.
The ministry also reacted to media reports, which inundated the social media platforms that the Customs authorities have held up a consignment of Oxygen concentrators badly needed by the country in its fight against the novel coronavirus.
While responding to a news report, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) clarified that the image shown in the news item was of an Indigo Flight that brought 842 packets imported from Hong Kong on Friday.
The Board clarified that the items included 300 Oxygen concentrators which were cleared by the Delhi Customs officials within hours.
The ministry also requested the media to bring to its notice if any other Covid-19 related supply was pending before the customs authorities.
In an earlier statement, the ministry had rejected the social media posts about Customs authorities holding a consignment of 3,000 Oxygen concentrators.
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However, the ministry was quick to clarify that if such a consignment was indeed held up by the customs authorities anywhere in the country then it should be brought to the notice of the ministry which will take prompt corrective action.
“Since a photograph has also been put on Twitter, if anybody has information as to where it is lying, the same may be informed to us and we will take immediate action,” the ministry said while urging social media users to inform the ministry if it was indeed true.
Country badly needs Oxygen concentrator
The country is battling the second outbreak of the Covid-19 global pandemic which has killed more than 2.8 lakh people in the country and more than 30 lakh people worldwide.
In a large number of cases, the shortage of medical oxygen has often been blamed for the death of patients who have developed a severe function in their lungs.
In order to tide over the difficult situation, the government has pressed the Indian Air Force and Indian Railways to supply medical oxygen.
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