After much speculations, the center gives clarification on 3,000 oxygen concentrators

Amid the rising number of covid-19 cases in India, even the smallest help in the form of resources to tackle the virus is being of great help. Considering the need for such resources and their value during such a time, people are extra careful so that no form of wastage is being done due to negligence. 

Hence when speculations about 3,000 oxygen concentrators stuck in clearance started doing rounds, the Union Ministry of Finance came out and clarified that no such consignment was pending for clearance from the custom authorities. 

The centre further added that they are in touch with their on ground facilities and continually tracking the whereabouts of the consignment. Earlier, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) had also refuted the claim of 3,000 concentrators being pending with it. 

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The finance ministry released a statement on Tuesday saying, “The matter regarding a consignment of 3,000 oxygen concentrators lying with customs authorities came up in the Hon’ble Delhi High Court.” The statement also added that the same information was clarified by the government counsel also that no such consignment has been received or is pending with the authorities. 

The statement came after social media platforms were flooded with this piece of information that oxygen concentrators are lying pending with custom authorities. The finance ministry further added that the government has rechecked their field formations regarding the consignment and they are confident that no such consignment is lying with the customs. 

“However, 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,” said the ministry in its statement. 

On Monday too, CBIC tweeted regarding the same saying that the information being spread on social media is entirely fake and no such consignment has been withheld in the customs department. 

The matter started when advocate Krishnan Venugopal had informed the High Court regarding the 3,000 oxygen concentrators following which the high court had demanded details from the Centre on the status of Oxygen concentrators pending custom clearance. The concentrators reportedly belonged to the Max Hospital but stuck with the customs department.