India Lockdown: Shortage of Essential Goods Items As Manufacturers Face Lockdown Hurdles

Amid the nationwide lockdown which has put 1.3 billion people under self-quarantine, production of several essential goods is running low as manufactures are facing many hurdles, say reports. Since the nationwide lockdown that came into effect from March 24 midnight, consumer goods companies are facing myriad issues, from state permissions for manufacture, absent labour, to stranded trucks.  

“The production of essential goods, such as packaged food items, soaps and detergents is running at less than 10 per cent of ordinary levels”, said a senior executive at a large fast-moving consumer goods company. 

As per reports, an official at a prominent packaged atta (wheat flour) maker said that factories are currently running at 40 percent capacity, while another at an edible oil refiner said refineries are working at below 50 percent capacity.  

As per the reports from a leading biscuit manufacturer, current capacity utilization stands at 20 per cent.  

While the situation seems to be better at Amul, India’s largest dairy co-operative. As per Bloomberg Quint reports,  it has all permissions from the state government to continue production and is running at full capacity. 

Feminine Hygiene May Go out of Stock 

The report claims that feminine hygiene products face imminent risk of going out of stock. Most sanitary napkin manufacturers have shut their plants as they haven’t been included in the list of the essential items issued by the central government or state governments. 

“The central government is yet to clarify if sanitary napkin is an essential item because of which almost all factories have shut. State governments also need to add sanitary napkins to the essential items list so that companies can start manufacturing,” Rajesh Shah, president of Feminine and Infant Hygiene Association of India told to media.  

On the other hand, imports of sanitary pads are also closed due to lockdown. As per reports, Chinese sanitary pads take care of 10-15 per cent of India’s demand for sanitary pads which totally shut since coronavirus breakdown.