The country is under the 21days lockdown due to the outbreak of the coronavirus. The effect with which COVID-19 is affecting the whole world need not be stated. One of the most important ways through which this can be prevented is the regular use of hand-sanitizers. During this pandemic the Supreme Court today directed the Central government to publicize measures taken to control the price of hand sanitizers and face masks, which are used as precautionary measures against the spread of Coronavirus.
The Court also stated that strict actions will be taken against those who will violate the measures decided by the government.
The Court had issued notice to the Centre in a plea seeking directions to ensure the fair distribution and price control of face masks and sanitizers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The matter was heard via video conferencing by the bench of Justices L Nageswara Rao and Deepak Gupta.
Tushar Mehta, Solicitor General, asserted the Court that the government is looking into the matter. Helpline numbers will be publicised to effectively implement the notification of controlling the price of hand sanitizers and masks.
Due to the risks of the people’s lives the black marketing of the sanitisers and the face masks are at its peak. Due to the increase in demand many suppliers have started supplying sanitisers.
It was prayed in the Court that the police and concerned authorities be advised to take immediate and strict action against the black-marketing and hoarding of masks and sanitisers.
The other two petitioners in the matter are Advocate Amit Kumar Sharma and Prateek Sharma, a final year student from Delhi University.
The petitioners had also sought for the directions of the price control of the essential commodities, amidst COVID-19 pandemic.
As mentioned above, the nature of the coronavirus is such that people are required to wash their hands frequently either with soap or alcohol based sanitiser. Face masks are also advised to be worn by individuals as a precautionary measure. Therefore, keeping in mind this situation and the rise in the demand of these items, the petitioner stated that various chemists and pharmacists have begun selling these items at a price higher than the MRP.
The petitioner prayed that the intervention of the Court is required to direct the concerned authorities to discharge their duties effectively to ensure that price control and management are followed in conformity with the orders and notifications issued by the government.