India has said it is capping the price of liquid oxygen used to treat victims of novel coronavirus and other respiratory diseases after complaints of hoarding and shortages, as total Covid infections hit 5.9 million countrywide.

“Due to the absence of a price cap on liquid medical oxygen, manufacturers have hiked prices to fillers,” the government said in a statement, referring to off-takers such as hospitals and clinics which use the oxygen.

To ensure that the oxygen is available at reasonable rates, the government has capped manufacturers’ prices at Rs15.22 per cubic metre (CUM), the statement said. The new ceiling prices are applicable for six months and exclude taxes.