Water bottlers appeal for easing of rules in Kamrup (M) district

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Following the Kamrup (M) district administration's recent crackdown on water bottling and packaging plants which are operating in violation of rules, the 'All Guwahati 20 Litre Small Water Industry Union' has requested Deputy Commissioner Pallav Gopal Jha to re-examine the matter.

The union submitted a representation to Jha on Saturday, mentioning that some of their members received closure notices on the charge they have violated provisions of the Food Safety arid Standard Act, 2006 and the Disaster Management Act, 2005. However, the union said, their members duly comply with provisions of both Acts and follow relevant guidelines. They have also obtained all the necessary documents from the competent departments concerned, such as trade license, permission, laboratory tests etc.

The union alleged that the inspector who had visited the sites of the respective firms failed to meet the proprietors concerned and ask them exhibit the relevant documents. Further, it said, its members are operating a micro industry, that is, capacity of 20 liters of bottling and manufacturing, and hence neither Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) license nor No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Central Ground Water Authority ( CGWA) is applicable, as is the case with mega water industries.

The union submitted that its members are bona fide unemployed youths of Assam who have developed self-employed entrepreneurship and providing jobs to other unemployed youths in Guwahati.

The union's president Sanjib Chiram Deori later told the media that many educated local youths will become jobless once more if these micro water bottling plants are closed down. The drivers and owners of tankers associated with the business will also face problems if these units are closed down.

Deori demanded that they be allowed to operate their business without BIS licence and groundwater reports.

Also Read:  Kamrup (M) Admin Serves Closure Notices To Five Unauthorized Drinking Water Bottling Plants

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