After launching a crackdown on erring packaged drinking water units in Thoothukudi district, nine were found functioning without any licenses. Hence, the authorities have been directed to seal these units, said Collector M. Ravikumar.
A total of 53 packaged drinking water units were functioning in the district and of these only eight were found to have all the licenses required, he told the media here on Monday.
To start such units, licenses have to be obtained from the Public Works Department (Groundwater), Pollution Control Board and under the Food Safety and Standards Act they have to obtain licenses from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the Food Safety Department.
As nine units did not possess any of these licenses, orders were issued to seal them.
Further, he said based on the government order, ten kilos of wheat could be purchased free from the fair price shop. Any family card holder eligible for 20 kilo free rice scheme, could avail this facility.
“If a consumer needs 10 kilos of free wheat, he or she can buy only 10 kilos of free rice”, he said.
The move was aimed at propagating wheat consumption.
Moreover, the Collector said that Thoothukudi was the first in the State to have achieved 98 percent coverage in linking Aadhaar details of consumers with their family cards. Ottapidaram, Sathankulam and Srivaikuntam taluks had achieved hundred percent in this regard.
