New Delhi: Prices of alcohols used in manufacturing hand sanitizers have been capped under the Essential Commodities Act on account of coronavirus outbreak, an official release said.
The decision would empower the central government and states/union territories to regulate prices, production, sale, distribution, transport, movement, storage, information of alcohols used in manufacturing hand sanitizers, used as a preventive measure to avoid infection from COVID-19, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs said in a statement.
It would also empower governments to smoothen the sale and availability of these items and carry out operations against hoarders, speculators, profiteers, black marketeers and those involved in the contravention of the orders of central government and states/UTs in respect of these alcohols.
It will help manufacturers of hand sanitizers to keep prices of their product at a reasonable level and within the reach of the common people, it added.