MSMEs urge UP govt to assist with oxygen tech transfer from CSIR

Uttar Pradesh's Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have urged the state government to act as a facilitator in transferring the CSIR's indigenous oxygen concentrator technology to state units. Pankaj Kumar, National President of the Indian Industries Association (IIA) said they have requested the state government to take up the issue with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) for transferring oxygen concentrator technology to a UP MSME. He stated that because of a large gap in demand and supply of oxygen concentrators in the state, their price has skyrocketed, putting them out of reach for the majority of people. Once we begin manufacturing oxygen concentrators in the state, their prices will fall and they will be widely available. The Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute, a CSIR unit, has already transferred its technology to three MSMEs, one each in Kota (Rajasthan), Guwahati (Assam), and Gurugram (Haryana). Despite the high demand, companies are unable to ensure adequate availability of concentrators. Prior to the pandemic, the majority of oxygen concentrators were imported from China. Concentrators can help with mild to moderate Covid-19 cases. MSMEs are also assisting the state government in the establishment of oxygen plants. The DRDO has licenced its liquid oxygen plant technology to Tata Advanced Systems and Trident Pneumatics in Bengaluru. Trident Pneumatics of Coimbatore will install 21 oxygen plants in state government hospitals. These plants will be based on the liquid oxygen plant technology developed by the DRDO. The Ministry of Petroleum will also install oxygen plants in state government hospitals. Image SourceAlso read: PowerGrid hands over nine ICU ventilators to the tune of Rs 1.14 cr Also read: Oil and gas PSUs help in transporting Liquid Medical Oxygen