Symposium on packaged water

Hyderabad, Apr 21: Andhra Pradesh Packaged Drinking Water Association (APPDWA) today explained to the government they were sandwiched between non-ISI units and MNCs producing packaged drinking water in the state.

Speaking to newsmen here at a symposium on packaged drinking water, APPDWA Member Srinivas Rao said only 177 units in Andhra Praesh had Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) licences. Besides, there were about 356 identified non-ISI units and about 270 cottage units (non-ISI).

On the other han, the MNCs with their money and muscle power could market their products effectively, he added.

Mr Rao said ISI units had to invest Rs four crore in the facility besides incurring recurring expenditure for employing chemists and microbiologist as per BIS standards.

They also had to pay Rs 93,000 annually to BIS and spend Rs five lakh on chemicals and ingredients. But the non-ISI units which did not comply with the rules, incurred very less expenditure and hence, cold price their products at a lower rate.

Mr Rao said the government had to decide whether to make all the units ISI compliant or remove the stipulation altogether.

Earlier, State Civil Supplies Commissioner Bhanwar Lal said more than 500 non-ISI units were functioning in the state and there was a need to curb their activities.

UNI