16 companies in Himachal Pradesh to produce hand sanitiser

Vijay C Roy

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 31

The HP Government has permitted 16 companies to produce hand sanitiser. The step aims at bridging the gap between demand and supply of hand sanitiser in view of coronavirus pandemic.

The companies have been allowed to procure over 150 lakh bulk litres of ethyl alcohol, absolute alcohol and ethanol (a key ingredient for making hand sanitiser) per annum.

To manufacture a 500 ml bottle of sanitiser (above 65 per cent alcohol), 350 ml of ethyl alcohol is used and rest is other ingredients. Hand sanitiser manufacturers need to obtain L19A licence under the HP liquor licence rules, 1986, and the HP Excise Act, 2011, from the Excise Department to get denatured alcohol.

“A large number of manufacturers approached us for licence. Considering the shortage, we have given permission to 16. Since the permission is in bulk litres, the companies will not only be producing sanitiser for HP, but the entire country,” said Sanjay Kundu, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister and Principal Secretary (E&T)).

The companies granted licence include Sai Corporation, Venesa Cosmetics, Quixotic Healthcare, Tanishka Pharmaceuticals and ITC. The units are located in Sirmaur, Solan and Shimla districts.

“If anyone has the licence to manufacture hand sanitiser and wants to get ethanol, we will process the application in a day,” he added.

“The firms are allowed to procure ethyl alcohol, absolute alcohol or ethanol from HP or neighboring states,” said Ravi Sood, Deputy Commissioner, State Taxes and Excise, HP.