Masks and hand sanitisers have been notified as essential commodities under the Essential Commodities Act 1955 as per the advisory issued on March 13 by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Civil Supplies.
The State’s consumer affairs and civil supplies secretary and food and civil supplies commissioner Sushil Kumar informed that strict instructions have been issued to ensure availability of hand sanitisers and masks, controlling the prices and preventing the black marketing and overpricing of these items.
He further said that all petrol pumps, gas agencies, government food grain stores and ration shops should ensure that they have soap, hand-wash and sanitiser along with ensuring that the employees/persons present use mask as per the requirement. All surfaces frequently touched by people should be sanitised frequently. Those involved in loading and transport from government foodgrain godowns should also use masks where required.
The commissioner further said that advisory has been issued to all district supply officers regarding the situation is being monitored and reviewed consistently by the state administration.
To prevent the spread of coronavirus, all district supply officers have been directed to ensure that their offices are kept clean and that video conferences are held instead of meetings with officials remaining present physically.
Departmental employees with cough, cold and breathing difficulties should be asked to not come to the office and if possible, be permitted to work from home.