Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Friday said that the government has set the prices of essential items like hand sanitisers and face masks, which are reportedly being hoarded as the coronavirus epidemic spreads across India.

“Since the outbreak of coronavirus, the market has seen a huge increase in the prices of various face masks and materials used in its manufacture and hand sanitiser. Taking this seriously, the government has fixed their prices,” he said in a tweet.

Under the Essential Commodities Act, the cost of fabric used in two- and three-ply masks will remain the same as it was on February 12 — Rs 8 and Rs 10 respectively, he said.

Paswan added that the retail price of a 200 ml bottle of hand sanitiser has been pegged at Rs 100 and will not exceed it. Other sizes of bottles will also be priced in the same proportion and these prices will be applicable throughout the country till June 30, he said.