Hours after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal thanked the Central government for increasing the national capital’s quota of medical oxygen supplies, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia alleged that the neighbouring states of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh were withholding supplies.

Sisodia took to Twitter to state that out of Delhi’s previous daily quota of 378 metric tonnes (MT) of oxygen only 177 MT has been provided on April 21 (Wednesday).

Sisodia also appealed to the Centre to deploy paramilitary forces if necessary to ensure states get their allocated share of oxygen, since the state governments of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana had sent police to the plants to stop movement of supplies towards Delhi.

The central government has recently increased the medical oxygen quota for Delhi from 378 MT per day to 480 MT per day.

There was a marked contradiction between the statements issued by Delhi chief minister and his deputy regarding the issue of supply of medical oxygen to the national capital.

Hours before Sisodia’s tweet, CM Kejriwal had stated that he has talked to Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar about the supplies and added that he has been assured of cooperation.

“I spoke to Hon’ble CM of Haryana Sh Manohar Lal Khattar ji. Sought his support in facilitating transport of oxygen trucks from Haryana to Delhi. He has assured full support,” Kejriwal had tweeted.