Local distilleries, Pharma companies switch to manufacture hand sanitisers

JAMMU: Amid spike in COVID-19 cases in the Union Territory, the local distilleries and other pharmacy companies are switching to manufacture hand sanitisers in Jammu and Kashmir.
Official sources said that three pharmaceutical companies and one local distillery has obtained No Objection Certificates (NOC) from Jammu and Kashmir Excise Department in this connection.
“Three pharmaceutical companies namely Dabur India Pvt Ltd, Ethicare Pharmaceutical Pvt Ltd, Naturies Pharmaceutical Pvt Ltd and one local distillery has got NOC from the department while other distilleries have also expressed their urge to put their spirits to work to help fill the shortage of hand sanitizers,” said Deputy Excise Commissioner (Executive), Jammu, Amarjeet Singh.
Official sources said that the shift on the part of liquor manufacturers and distilleries happened after Jammu and Kashmir Excise Department asked the liquor dealers and vendors to close down their business establishments because of nationwide lockdown as directed by the concerned District Magistrates.
“Zero consumption of liquor and shortage of hand sanitizer is also stated to be one of the reasons behind the move,” they said.
It may be mentioned here that world over, majority of distilleries have stopped manufacturing liquor and started making hand sanitizers to assist the governments to help fight the coronavirus.
On March 19, via a notification, government of India had brought production, quality, distribution and prices of alcohol used in manufacturing of hand sanitizers under the purview of the Essential Commodities Act till June 2020.
As such the prices of alcohol used in manufacture of hand sanitizers cannot exceed from those prevailing on March 5, 2020.
Meanwhile, Excise Commissioner Rajesh Kumar Shavan on Monday directed that no bar or liquor vend would open across the UT unless they get a specific order from his office.
To enforce the order strictly, he has directed his Excise and Taxation Officers(ETOs) that liquor vends or bar with restaurants will operate only after getting a specific order from his office and after verification of stocks, TPs etc.

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