Maharashtra Govt Caps Price Of N95 Masks At Rs 14-49, Surgical Masks For Rs 3-4
Pune, November 1, 2020: Maharashtra has become the first state in the country to regulate the pricing of masks. This decision has been taken to get the masks at affordable rates and all citizens to use it.
N95 masks will now be available in the state at Rs 19 to Rs 49 only. While two-ply to three-ply surgical masks will be available at Rs 3 to Rs 4 only. Till now, the cheapest N-95 mask was sold for around Rs 70.
Maharashtra State Health Minister Rajesh Tope informed that the government announced the decision on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the prescribed maximum selling price limits for various masks’ grades will remain in force till the communicable diseases law comes into force.
The state government is appealing to the citizens to use masks and sanitizers for Coronavirus(COVID-19) prevention. Strict action has been taken against people for not wearing masks. “This price bar has also been approved by the CM Uddhav Thackery and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar to make the prices of masks affordable to the common man”, said Tope.
This decision was taken by forming a committee which held discussions with the manufacturing companies before fixing the rates. Members of the committee visited manufacturing areas, offices, and warehouses of manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors. The cost of the mask was then determined with the help of an outlay auditor.
