3000 Oxygen Concentrators received from various countries, dispatched
New Delhi, 6 May (HS):The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) on Thursday said that all the 3000 oxygen concentrates which were received from various countries have been dispatched from custom authorities. The custom official said that there is no pendency with Indian Customs. The official further said that Indian Customs is swiftly clearing all consignments & no such figures of pendency exist across any port of import.
The official said that in all, 3000 oxygen concentrators were received from various countries as global aid to support efforts of Centre and the States and UTs in their collective fight against the global pandemic. Of these Mauritius has sent 200 oxygen concentrators, Russia (20), UK has sent in four consignments (95+120+280+174), 80 from Romania, 700 from Ireland, Thailand (30), China (1000) and Uzbekistan (151). In addition, Taiwan has sent 150.
The oxygen concentrators are either delivered to the identified tertiary care institutions, or been dispatched for delivery. The relief material has been dispatched through road and air too. There are no oxygen contractors lying in the warehouse of the Customs Department, it is clarified, the official said.
Recently the matter regarding a consignment of 3,000 Oxygen Concentrators lying with Customs Authorities came up in the Delhi High Court and the same was clarified by the Government Counsel that presently no such consignment is pending with Custom Authorities.
The Ministry of finance also clarified the matter through an official release on 3rd May in response to flooding of social media with the news that 3,000 Oxygen Concentrators are lying with Customs. The Ministry stated, “We have again checked with our field formations and there is no such consignment 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.”
