MUMBAI: Hindustan Unilever , India's biggest consumer goods firm, said it will drop prices of essential hygiene products by 15% and committed about Rs 100 crore in an effort to slow the spread of novel coronavirus . The Indian unit of Anglo-Dutch consumer giant Unilever will also ramp up production and supplies of sanitizers, handwash and floor cleaners."In crisis like this, companies have a big role to play. We are working closely with the Governments and our partners to ensure that we overcome this global health crisis together," said Sanjiv Mehta , chairman and managing director of HUL, the first company to extend an aid to fight the pandemic in the country.The company said both production and supplies of Lifebuoy sanitizers and handwash and Domex floor cleaners' supply will increase even as prices for these brands are slashed by 15% With newer manufacturing planned immediately, it will take another few weeks for these products with revised price-tags to hit retail shelves.HUL will also donate two crores pieces of Lifebuoy soap bars, the country's biggest soap brand, in the next few months to the sections of the society. It will also partner with medical institutions that are providing testing and care facilities to affected people and provide them free supplies of sanitation and hygiene products apart from donating Rs 10 crores to upgrade the health care facilities in testing centres and hospitals.The pledged amount translates into 1.7% of its FY18-19 net profit and about 0.3% of annual sales. A year ago, the company's entire corporate social spend was about Rs126.4 crore.HUL, for long considered a good proxy to gauge consumer sentiment across the country’s socio-economic spectrum, was also the first company to announce that office-based employees will work from home. At the same time, field sales employees have been connecting with customers virtually wherever possible and minimising the use of public transport if a customer visit is necessary.