Panel to decide on price of bottled water

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government, which plans to bring out an ordinance to regulate the price of bottled water sold in the state, has constituted a committee to take a decision after consulting with stakeholders in the industry.

The committee headed by civil supplies director will have officials from law, industries, finance, water resources and health departments and law officers of bureau of Indian standards and civil supplies as members.

The government, in its order constituting the committee, said that the committee should convene meetings of bottled water manufacturers and consumer organizations. Civil supplies director has been asked to submit a report to the government immediately after the meetings.

A meeting conducted by civil supplies minister P Thilothaman on May 10 had decided to issue an ordinance by bringing bottled water under Essential Commodities Act. It also decided to cap price of a 1 litre bottle at Rs 13. However, Kerala packaged drinking water manufacturers association informed the state government that sale of bottled water at that price was not practical. They cited that the manufacturing was being done through various stages using latest technology.

The state government has also made its presence in the market with the sale of ‘Hilly Aqua’ for the past two years. The 1-litre bottle manufactured by government-owned Kerala Irrigation Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (KIIDC) is sold at Rs 15.

The Kerala water authority is also in the process of manufacturing bottled water by setting up a plant at Aruvikkara in Thiruvananthapuram.

The KWA plan is awaiting BIS and food safety certification.