Maharashtra has become the first state in the country to cap the prices of masks. N95 masks will now be available at Rs 19 to Rs 49, while two-layer and three-layer masks will be available for Rs 3 to 4. Health Minister Rajesh Tope informed that the state government has announced the ruling in this regard yesterday.

This maximum selling price limit will be applicable to all mask manufacturing companies/distributors/retailers in the state. All mask manufacturers/distributors/retailers in the state will be required to display the quality of the mask and its fixed maximum selling price.

In case of any grievance in this regard, at the state level, the Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration and at the district level, the Collector will be the competent authorities. Given the need for masks in the state, the manufacturer will be required to make available the goods produced and required in the state at the prescribed rate.

Government and private hospitals/nursing homes/covid care centres / dedicated covid hospitals etc. in the state will be required to provide the mask at the rate of 70% of the prescribed maximum selling price limit. It has been mentioned in the ruling that private hospitals cannot charge more than 110% of the purchase price.

In Maharashtra, Health Minister Rajesh Tope has expressed concern about the higher mortality rate in some of the rural areas like Parbhani District and urged the private doctors to spare some time in COVID Centres in Rural Areas.

He emphasized on the guidance of specialist doctors to reduce the mortality rate in the state.

Some of the districts in the state are working in the same direction and focussing on guiding the patients in remote areas with the help of COVID War Rooms. Our correspondent reports, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope has said that all the private doctors have been given instructions to participate in the COVID Prevention Mission and visit the COVID Centres for at least two to three hours in a day.

He was speaking to reporters in Parbhani district after inaugurating liquid oxygen plant and taking stock of COVID- 19 situations in the district.

He said that the guidance of specialist doctors proves helpful in curing the COVID patients and it can reduce the mortality rate in rural areas.

He urged the people to get the treatment immediately in case of COVID symptoms.

In the backdrop of Health Minister’s appeal, a COVID-19 War Room was launched in Jalgaon district to help the Corona patients in remote areas for timely treatment.

Specialist doctors will be available on the War Room helpline from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the district.

In other parts of rural Maharashtra, awareness campaigns are being organized to guide the rural population.