India is suffering from a massive spike in Covid-19 infections lately. With the increasing virus cases, the hospitals are running out of oxygen supplies and the crisis for oxygen across the nation is seen evidently.
Amid these challenging situations, the Centre on Saturday waived off the customs duty and health cess on import of oxygen and oxygen-related equipment for three months with immediate effect. Along with this, the government also exempted customs duty on the import of Covid vaccines for the same period.
This decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the steps taken to boost oxygen availability in the country.
The PM also directed the Revenue Department to ensure smooth and quick customs clearance of such equipment. This move from the centre is made to boost the availability of oxygen and oxygen related equipment and make them cheaper.
The below comes under the exemption of customs duty medical grade oxygen, oxygen concentrator along with flow meter, connectors and tubing, regulator, oxygen canister, oxygen storage tanks, oxygen filling systems, oxygen cylinders including cryogenic cylinders and tanks, etc.