Five lakh litres of sanitisers will be supplied to the health department free of cost in the wake of outbreak of Covid-19 in Assam.

The decision is based on a directive by state excise minister Parimal Suklabaidya on Friday.

Suklabaidya, after discussions with the excise commissioner, liquor manufacturing factories in the state will now produce hand sanitisers.

“This will be part of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities by liquor companies of Assam. According to the health department’s orders, around five crore 20ml bottles are required which will be supplied by excise factories of Assam on a no-profit basis,” said the excise minister on Friday.

These sanitisers will be produced according to the guidelines set up by WHO, Essential Commodities Act and Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

“The main objective of this innovative approach is to curb the menace of fake sanitisers and black marketing by some traders of the state,” Suklabaidya added.

The excise department has taken steps to make available sanitisers for Manipur and Nagaland as well in its manufacturing units.

Till now 11 companies have started producing the sanitisers in Assam. After the outbreak of coronavirus, shops ran out of sanitisers and other safety equipment like masks. Prior to this, various colleges in the state have come forward with their lab-made sanitisers.