Centre denies Maha CMO claim that Uddhav called PM for help but PMO said he is busy in campaign
Even though the PMO is yet to come out with a clarification, Union Minister Piyush Goyal lashed out at the Maharashtra government. Goyal said he was saddened to see Uddhav Thackeray gimmicks on oxygen shortage.
FollowA war of words has erupted between the Maharashtra government and the Centre over Oxygen supply to the state that has been battling with a massive surge in Coronavirus cases.
Controversy erupted when reports emerged that Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray called up Prime Minister Narendra Modi's office to apprise him about the shortage of oxygen and Remdesivir and seek assistance.
Reports citing the Maharashtra CMO claimed that the Prime Minister's Office told Uddhav that he was busy in the West Bengal election campaign and will call the chief minister back once he gets free.
The media reports also claimed that Uddhav is yet to receive a callback.
Even though the PMO is yet to come out with a clarification, Union Minister Piyush Goyal lashed out at the Maharashtra government.
Goyal said he was saddened to see Uddhav Thackeray gimmicks on oxygen shortage.Â
He said that the Centre and all stakeholders are ensuring maximum oxygen production in India.Â
"We are currently producing 110 per cent of oxygen generating capacity and diverting all available oxygen from industrial use to medical use," he said.
"Maharashtra is suffering from an inept and corrupt government, and the Centre is doing its best for the people. People of Maharashtra are following 'Majha Kutumb, Majhi Javabadari' dutifully. It is time the CM also follows his duties in the spirit of 'Majha Rajya, Majhi Javabadari', he added.
Goyal reminded the Maharashtra chief minister that Prime Minister Modi had on Friday carried out a comprehensive review of medical-grade oxygen supply in the country.
The Prime Minister was briefed by senior officials on the availability of oxygen and its projected use across 12 high-burden states (Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan) in the next 15 days.Â
Stressing upon the need for synergy across ministries and state governments, the Prime Minister had also suggested ways to increase oxygen production in the country.Â
Prime Minister Modi urged the officials to ensure seamless movement of tankers carrying oxygen across the country. The Centre has exempted all interstate movement of oxygen tankers from registration of permits to enable easier movement.
