The US Federal Trade Commission said the USD 80 billion merger of the world's second and third largest supplier of oxygen, helium, carbon dioxide and other gases, would hinder competition.
The proposed $74 billion tie-up of German industrial gases group Linde and U.S. peer Praxair got a boost on Tuesday when the world's biggest sovereign wealth fund said it was backing the deal.
Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar said after the repair and maintenance work at plants in Ballari hit oxygen production, the shortage caused by a technical flaw was effectively tackled.
