The Hyderabad High Court on Monday instructed the Telangana Legal Metrology department to explain the measures initiated by it against erring drinking water bottling units.
The directive was given by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Thottathil B. Radhakrishnan and Justice V. Ramasubramanian. The bench was hearing an appeal by the Legal Metrology department challenging the single-judge order that had quashed a case against Kinley water bottling company in Medak district.
Stating that it would examine amendments made by the LM department to packaged commodities rules, the bench sought to know what action the officials were taking against bottling companies which were not disclosing details of the seller, address and contact numbers.
The Chief Justice took everyone by surprise by asking one of his staff members to buy a water bottle from the HC canteen. Bisleri company water bottles were being sold in that canteen. Showing the water bottle to State counsel Jyothi Kiran, he said it too did not contain details of seller, contact address etc.
The CJ said there would be little or no response when customers called the toll-free number given on the bottle.
Ban on hoardings
In another case, the bench observed that banning ad hoardings and flexis was part of executive decision. It directed the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation to consider the representations made by advertising organisations in imposing bans on hoardings and flexis. Initially, some leading ad organisations moved the HC, challenging the government’s order which prohibited ad hoardings and flexies.
As the single judge did not agree with their argument, they filed an appeal before the bench.
