Madhya Pradesh: 50 lakh low cost masks to be available at PDS shops

The Madhya Pradesh government has planned to procure 50 lakh low cost cotton masks and facilitate their availability at fair price shops for the public to contain the spread of coronavirus.

During a meeting on Sunday (April 19) Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan discussed the states preparations to fight COVID-19 and decided to get these masks stitched by women from urban areas in the state, a public relations official said on Monday (April 20).

The masks will be made available at all ration shops covered under the public distribution system (PDS), the official said, adding that the preparation of masks would also provide employment to women.

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In the first phase of the initiative, the government will procure 50 lakh cotton masks, which will not only be cost effective but also reusable after washing, he said.

Women of urban areas, who wish to engage themselves in the mask-making activity, can get themselves registered with the government and secure an order to make 1,000 masks, he added.

(With inputs from agencies)