Maha To Regulate Prices Of Masks, Sanitisers In Public Interest

Mumbai, 9 Oct 2020: 

Maharashtra has become the first state in India to regulate the prices of face masks in public interest amid the coronavirus pandemic. This comes after a committee appointed to regulate the prices of masks and sanitiser submitted its recommendations to the state government.

Maharashtra Public Health Minister Rajesh Tope informed that a formal order regarding the same will be out soon. As the per recommendations made by the committee, the N-95 masks will not be priced more than ₹50 and will start from ₹19. Meanwhile, the double and triple layer masks will be available for ₹3 to 4.

Tope said that it would be mandatory to sell the masks at a revised rate after the government approves the price recommendations made by the committee. The price for N-95 masks rose to ₹175 from ₹40 after the coronavirus pandemic while the double and triple layer masks were being sold at ₹16.
 
“The rates for N-95 masks went up by 437.5 per cent and the double and triple layer masks prices were increased by 160 per cent,” the committee said.

A joint meeting was held under the chairmanship of Tope and Dr. Rajendra Shingane. A four-member committee was appointed under the chairmanship of Dr. Sudhakar Shinde, Chief Executive Ocer, State Health Services Guarantee Society.

The state government has made it mandatory for people to wear masks and use hand sanitisers in order to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The committee has studied all aspects of mask manufacturing before making its recommendations. The regulated prices will come as a huge relief to commoners amid the pandemic.  Tope said that it will also reduce the cost of hospital services. Mumbai Live