Bengaluru: With a view to increasing oxygen production in the state, Karnataka has offered sops to companies to set up more plants. 

"We are offering incentives to industrialists for setting up production plants to make the state self-sufficient in medical oxygen," industries minister Jagadish Shettar was quoted as saying by Swarajya. 

Presently, the state is getting 1,200 tonnes of the gas daily from the Centre. But the state government yearns to produce more to meet its demand during the anticipated third wave later this year.

"I have directed my department officials to build oxygen buffer stock in all 31 districts and increase the gas storage capacity by 20 tonnes for emergency use in state-run hospitals," he said.

The break-up: 

It should be noted that of 1,200 tonnes allotted to Karnataka, 830 tonnes are produced in six private plants in the state, 60 tonnes are supplied by small and medium enterprises, and 310 tonnes are transported from other states, including Gujarat, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Odisha, as reported by the website. 

Under Operation Samudra Setu II, Indian Navy has also distributed 15o tonnes of LMO from Gulf countries like Kuwait and UAE. 

"More oxygen in 4 cryogenic tankers through special freight trains are on way to the state from Kalinga in Odisha," said Shettar.

The Industry Department has reactivated 2 state-run defunct plants at KGF (Kolar Gold Field) near Bengaluru and Yadgir to produce 500 tonnes of oxygen each daily.

"In addition, over 100 oxygen generators are being installed across the state to ensure adequate supply to Covid hospitals," added Shettar.