Tiruvannamalai trains SHG to produce hand sanitisers

The official said they have already trained a 20-member self-help group (SHG) to manufacture hand sanitisers, which require only mixing four chemical solutions in the correct ratio. “We will release the hand sanitiser in a week once we decide its name and brand,” he said.

This district administration has received complaints from the public that shops were selling hand sanitisers for more than Rs 400 – the usually retail price was around Rs 240. “Complaints revealed that many shops tell customers to pay up or clear out of the premises. Hence we decided to act,” Kandasamy added. The administration has three numbers (0416-2252120, 7904144252 and 9884839957) on which the public can lodge complaints of over pricing. “Based on which, we will take stern action against traders indulging in this practice.”

Pointing out that the manufacture of hand sanitisers does not require any specific permission from the government, it would be procured by the Tiruvannamalai Government Medical College Hospital and other government medical institutions in the district for their own use. “If all districts follow suit, there will be no artificial demand for hand sanitisers,” he added. Efforts were also underway to see if masks could also be made locally, said the Collector.