Chennai
The Madras High Court expressed dismay over the government’s claims that they had sealed over 500 packaged water manufacturing units that were extracting groundwater illegally across the State, but that they are yet to charge the companies for the water extracted.
A division bench comprising Justices Vineet Kothari and R Suresh Kumar who had given an ultimatum to the government to close the illegal water extraction units made this observation when the plea in this regard came up for hearing.
“Like minerals, all the natural resources found under the ground are property of the State. We do not understand why extraction of groundwater is not charged when water is a scarce resource.
The State cannot provide free meal to such industries particularly when they are commercially exploiting the natural resource,” the bench said.
However, Advocate-General Vijay Narayan in response to the bench’s query submitted that the State has made a decision not to charge for extraction of groundwater by packaged water manufacturers as it caters to the drinking water needs of the people which the State could not provide.
Following this, the bench raised a pointed query regarding the purpose of fixing flow meters to the extraction pumps.
To this, he explained that the meters are meant to have a check on the extraction quantity to cap over-extraction by such manufacturers.
However, when the aspect of the current strike by such bottling plants was raised, the Advocate General wanted the court to advise the manufacturers to have faith on the judiciary and that such strike is not a good move.
Recording the submission, the bench led by Justice Vineet Kothari said, “If they think it (strike) will put pressure on this court, then they are mistaken.”
But denying the submission that the units are on ‘strike’, senior counsel P S Raman appearing for certain manufacturers submitted that the units could not work as they have been shut down by the authorities in view of court order.
This fact was explained in a media briefing, but it was misinterpreted as strike, he said.
Recording the submissions, the bench said that they would pass a detailed order on Wednesday.
Sealing of 50 can water units in Kovai leaves locals high and dry
The continuing crackdown on illegal packaged water manufacturers seems to have left people in the district high and dry.
Till Tuesday, officials sealed a total of 47 can water manufacturing units here for operating without licence and for exploitation of groundwater. At least six units were closed down on the day alone.
Condemning the crackdown, can water manufacturers have been on a strike over the past six days. The production has almost come to a halt from this, leading to acute shortage of drinking water supply among residents here.
This is because thousands residing in apartments and commercial establishments are dependent on can water for their daily needs.
“In our apartment, we are supplied with only bore water from the overhead tank. So we are completely dependent on can water for meeting our cooking and drinking purposes.
Over the past few days, our regular can water supplier switched off his mobile phone. A few others, whom we tried also, say that they don’t have stock to supply,” said S Muthulakshmi, a homemaker from Telungupalayam area.
Residents from many other areas too complained that they get drinking water supplied by the civic body and panchayats only once in ten days and that it was difficult to save it for long.
Being so, the lack of supply of can water has only added to their woes pertaining to the impending summer season.
It has also become a common sight to see people going around the city, carrying pots and cans, in search of public taps to fetch water.
The can water suppliers, who have taken prior orders for marriages and functions, have also begun to cancel their orders citing their inability to supply due to stoppage in production.
The crackdown comes after the Madras High Court ordered the government to prevent illegal extraction of groundwater and also directed it to shut down units exploiting groundwater resources.
Tiruchy’s water woes to ease with 7 units resuming production
In a relief to the public here, the supply of packaged drinking water is expected to become normal from Wednesday following seven units resuming production from Tuesday afternoon.
The officials here had sealed as many as 23 packaged drinking water units and those other units which were functioning with permission had volunteered to remain closed in order to express their opposition.
Subsequently, the water distribution got affected in the city since Saturday. This led to the people to run from pillar to post in search of water.
As the packaged drinking water in 20-litre cans was not available anywhere, a few people procured bottled water that was sold at between Rs 15 and 22 in the district.
Others who couldn’t afford to buy, were left in the lurch and they were dependent on the Corporation supply through the pipelines.
According to supply men, the workers’ union were staging a series of protests and even submitted a petition with the District Collector to initiate steps to open the sealed units as their livelihood was hit.
However, the units which had licence resumed production following a series of complaints by the customers.
The supply men who were waiting for the court order said that the units that had resumed production may not satisfy the entire demand in the district and so they appealed the government again to issue a GO to allow the existing drinking water firms to continue operation which would ease the distribution.
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