In Maharashtra, the State Government has accorded ambulance status to the vehicles carrying medical oxygen for one year. A notification was issued yesterday in this regard.<br />'' <br />''The decision was taken in view of the spread of COVID-19 pandemic and the necessity of uninterrupted oxygen supply to various hospitals in the state.<br />'' <br />''AIR correspondent reports, state Government has accorded ambulance status to vehicles carrying medical oxygen for one year.<br />'' <br />''The notification in this regard says that such vehicles will be considered as vehicles on emergency and disaster management duties.<br />'' <br />''On the other hand, Food and Drug Administration Minister Rajendra Shingane assured that the state has adequate reserves of oxygen.<br />'' <br />''While speaking at a joint meeting of oxygen producers, suppliers and transporters, he said that about 11 per cent of patients in the state need oxygen, which requires about 500 metric tonnes of oxygen.<br />'' <br />''Even though the state is currently producing more than a thousand metric tonnes, there are complaints of shortage of oxygen at some places.<br />'' <br />''Therefore, he said that all suppliers and transporters should increase their distribution network to ensure that oxygen reaches the needy. <br />