Hand sanitiser and face masks are no more in the ‘Essential Commodities List’ with effect from June 30, with the Indian government determining not to extend its previous order of stating them as essential commodities
The Essential Commodities Act which authorises the government to fix price and cover on the stock of essential consumer commodities is no more applicable on sanitisers and face masks.
The world currently considers using face masks and hand sanitiser more than their mobile phones amid the novel coronavirus spread. Many have claimed that hand sanitisers are vital, pocket-friendly and germ-killing antiseptic solutions that keep one safe from the COVID-19 as well as masks are the ones which prevents germs to enter your body.
Now, hand sanitiser and face masks are no more in the ‘Essential Commodities List’ with effect from June 30, with the Indian government determining not to extend its previous order of stating them as essential commodities. In an official communication issued on July 1 to other ministries and departments of governments, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs stated these products are being removed from the list of essential commodities as ‘there was no adverse reports from the States/UTs with respect to their price and availability’. It also added, ‘Therefore, the Department has decided not to continue these items as essential commodities under the Essential Commodities under the EC Act, 1955, beyond 30.06.2020.’
It may be remembered that the government put hand sanitisers and face masks in the group of essential commodities in the month of March to safeguard their obtainability and also to make sure that producers are not overcharging consumers till June 30.
The government also took several active steps, counting encouraging sugar mills and ethanol constructers to supply alcohol at reasonable rates to hand sanitiser makers, so that there was a shortage of these resources amid the lockdown period and beyond.
Well, after the decisions, people were not so convinced that this was reason enough for the products to be taken off the essential commodities, fearing that now prices would increase radically and collectors would be able to buy the enormous stock and those in need will be left without a single one.