Centre caps maximum price of hand sanitizers amid coronavirus panic-buying

NEW DELHI: The government has capped the maximum retail price of hand sanitizer at Rs 100 per 200 ml bottle till June 30 this year amid sharp rise in the prices of this product amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Similarly, the price of a 2 ply (surgical) mask has been capped at Rs 8 and that of 3 plies (surgical) mask at Rs 10 till June 30, Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said in a statement.

"The price cap has been imposed taking into account the sharp increase in prices of raw materials used in making of face masks and hand sanitizer," Paswan said.

Earlier this month, the government had declared sanitizers and masks "essential commodities" to prevent hoarding and price manipulation of such goods.

On March 19, the government had placed price limits on alcohols used in making hand sanitizer.