GUWAHATI:
Following complaints from the public about the safety of packaged drinking water, the Kamrup Metropolitan district administration served closure notice to four unauthorised water bottling plants operating in Guwahati, on February 18.
The units which have been served closure notice are Hello Water (Saukuchi), Heaven Dew (Dakshingoan), Pure Aqua (Dakshingoan), Piyasha Drop (Lakhora).
The order came a day after the district administration served closure notices to five plants – Sure Life bottling factory (Sualkuchi), Trappist-1, Rhino Aqua (Sijubari) Pacific Water and an unnamed bottling plant at Notboma (Sijubari).
Over the past few days, a task force under Kamrup Metro deputy commissioner Pallav Gopal Jha had launched a crackdown against such unauthorised bottling plants after people had raised concern over the growing number of bottling plants and the hygiene protocols followed by them.
The task force was formed comprising of circle officers, magistrates, food safety, GMC (Guwahati Municipal Corporation) and police officials to enforce immediate closure of such plants who are operating without necessary permissions and approvals.
“Necessary instructions were also passed on to such operators regarding requisite licences to be obtained for operating such businesses,” said an official of the district administration.
According to the DC, such operations shall continue in full swing till such unscrupulous elements do not desist from flouting rules and obtain necessary licenses and operate in proper conditions.