Bihar: Sanitisers do a roaring business

PATNA: With a sudden surge in demand for hand sanitisers amid the Covid-19 pandemic, many big firms as well as local artisans have started their production.
According to Bihar Mahila Udyog Sangh president Usha Jha locals, who used to make Madhubani paintings, are trying their hand at making sanitisers.
“Since alcohol is not available in Bihar, they use herbal techniques that are effective and skin-friendly. Their sanitisers are available in a price range of Rs 60 to Rs 150,” Usha told this newspaper on Wednesday.
Jeevika (non-form and micro enterprises) manager Devesh Kumar pointed out that alcohol-based sanitisers, which are in huge demand, were being produced in Bhojpur, Gaya and Madhubani. “We have also sent the samples to the state health department for getting its approval, after which we will start their marketing and sale,” he said.
Since the supply of alcohol-based sanitisers is low in Bihar, Devesh also expects to earn good revenue from the sanitizer, which are made by Jeevika didis.
The production and sale of sanitisers have, however, been a tough journey for Samrat Laboratories in Samastipur. “Surviving in a market, which is flooded with sanitisers, is not easy. The competition is quite difficult,” claimed the company’s owner Jaspal Singh.
Now that sanitisers have become an indispensable part of people’s lives, health experts lay emphasis on buying those with at least 60% alcohol content. Dr Satyendra Narayan Singh, head of microbiology department at the Patna Medical College and Hospital, said alcohol in sanitisers helped kill viruses.