North Kolkata Durgotsav committee steps up to make & distribute sanitisers

Kolkata: Amidst the high demand for hand sanitisers in the present pandemic situation, Darjipara Sarbojanin Durgotsav Committee has taken an initiative to manufacture alcohol-based hand sanitisers and distribute the same among the residents of Ward 17 in North Kolkata.

According to the members of the committee, apart from arranging Durga Puja, they have social responsibilities as well. In the present situation when people are trying to be safe and buy hand sanitisers and other disinfectant materials, they are finding the items out of stock. Though a few shops are selling the items, they are charging a high premium.

It has been alleged that the manufacturers of hand sanitisers increased the price after the situation became serious. People have been going to the medical shops to buy sanitisers but maximum shops do not have any stock.

Sandip Bose, a member of the Darjipara Sarbojanin Durgotsav Committee, said: "We are trying to stay beside the people and fight against COVID-19. It is our social responsibility to help the citizens. We have decided to manufacture sanitiser with help from a laboratory and distribute it free of cost to the residents of Ward 17."

He further informed that as the price of isopropyl alcohol has gone up by almost Rs 1,000 for every 2.5 liter bottle in the past one week, they are facing difficulties.

On Monday, members of the committee distributed one bottle of sanitiser each to 500 houses. But now they are mulling to charge the production cost only, which is around Rs 30 for a 50 ml bottle.

Councillor of Ward 17 Mohan Kumar Gupta said: "It is a good initiative. They told me to join them. As I was busy with supervising conservancy work I failed to attend. But I will go to their office. We will have to look after the residents. I have personally requested the residents in my ward to stay home."