The central government waived off basic customs duty and health cess on import of oxygen and oxygen related equipment for three months. Decision was taken in the wake of shortage of oxygen and other equipment in the country. It was also decided to exempt basic customs duty on import of Covid vaccines with immediate effect for three months, a move which is expected to help step up supplies of a wide variety of vaccines in the country and help accelerate the vaccination drive. The decisions were taken at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to review the steps taken to boost oxygen availability in the country. The PM emphasized that there was an immediate need to augment the supply of medical grade oxygen as well as equipment required for patient care both at home and in hospitals. Several states are reporting a shortage of oxygen while hospitals are scrambling to procure supplies in the face of a sharp increase in demand due to the pandemic which has taken a heavy toll.