New Delhi: Amidst the fast-growing cases of Carona infection in the country, the government has said that it has instructed all major ports not to charge duty on vessels carrying oxygen and other related sub-products and materials. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways said in a statement on Sunday that it has asked all major ports to prioritize ships carrying medical grade oxygen, oxygen tanks, oxygen bottles, portable oxygen generators, and oxygen constructors to reach the port.
The statement said that in view of the great need for oxygen, Kamarajar Port Ltd. All the major ports including, have been asked to remove all the charges levied by the major port trusts. These also include ship-related fees and storage charges. The port chiefs have been asked to personally oversee the logistics operations so that there is no problem in their movement. Such vessels should not take long to arrive at the port and should be given priority.
A senior government official said, “We are facing an emergency due to the second wave of Covid. All the major ports are implementing this directive from today. ” Meanwhile, Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Mansukh Mandaviya said in a tweet, “The ship” MV Hai Nam 86 “has reached Deendayal Port. It has steel cylinder tubs that make oxygen cylinders. On reaching close to the port, this ship was given the highest priority in reaching the shore. This step has been taken amidst the lack of oxygen in the country. ”
The statement said that if there is a cargo other than the same related to oxygen on a ship, it will also be exempted on a proportional basis. The Port Ministry will monitor such vessels, the cargo carried in them, and see that it does not take much time for such cargo ships to be put at the port’s wharf.
The government on Saturday announced the abolition of customs duty on import of medical grade oxygen and related equipment along with Covid vaccine. India is currently reeling under the second wave of Covid epidemic and more than three lakh new cases of infections are coming up every day in the last few days. There are cases of shortage of medical oxygen and beds in hospitals of various states.
