Several thousands of households using bubbletops for drinking water may have to depend more on Metrowater as manufacturers of packaged drinking water suspended operations on Sunday.
They are protesting the harassment by Revenue Department officials and the heavy taxation under GST. “Already 200 units in Chennai and suburbs have already suspended operations,” said V. Murali, founder, Greater Tamil Nadu Packaged Drinking Water Manufacturers Association.
Over 350 units in the metropolitan area and the outskirts have been supplying 10 lakh cans of 20-litre capacity every day in the city. “The can water is used by the commoners but the Revenue Department officials are harassing manufacturers, closing down units, citing drought conditions. They do not understand that this is an essential product,” said Mr. Murali.
The Revenue Department has reportedly taken action against three units in Vaniambadi and 30 units in Madhavaram last week. “They issued notice to 80 units in Sholavaram three days ago. Yes, there is a drought situation. But we are purifying the ground water to supply safe drinking water. The government should intervene immediately,” he demanded.
Similarly, under GST regime, the tax has been increased to 18% for bubbletops. This may increase the price to ₹50 as retailers may also increase the price. “The State government has given exemption for bubbletops with zero percent tax because it is used by the common man. There is no tax for water since 2007 in Tamil Nadu. The State government should also raise this issue at the GST Council,” he said.
Meanwhile, city’s water managers say the Metrowater will not be able to increase its water supply anymore. Residents using bubbletops would have to either switch back to Metrowater or get drinking water through private tankers. The effect of the strike will be known only after a couple of days, officials say.
Ahmed Sirajuddin, a resident of Jamalia, who surrendered his metrowater connection many years ago because of poor quality water, said that higher tax for can water would affect many residents. “Metrowater supply is bad in our area. I surrendered my Metrowater connection as the quality was bad and they were not able to rectify the defect,” he says. He has been paying sewage tax and water tax for the past 25 years.
Now, he uses a Reverse Osmosis plant to purify the water from borewell to make it potable. “Sometimes, I buy can water . But people who cannot afford RO plants have to depend completely on bubbletops. The government should be in a position to supply safe drinking water to everyone,” said Mr.Sirajuddin.
Another resident of Pallavaram did not get ground water even after sinking borewell to 300 feet. So residents seem to be depending on processed water more in the recent years. The government should support the bubbletop manufacturers rather than putting them in a difficulty. The government can check the quality. But should not harrass them, said residents.
The Tamil Nadu Food Safety Department, Chennai, has already started cracking down on packaged drinking water for the past few weeks following complaints.
The Chennai Corporation’s initiative to offer eight lakh cans of packaged drinking water a day free of cost to residents has not reached all residents. After former Mayor Saidai Duraisamy demitted office, the scheme has not been strengthened as per his original proposal. Currently, only a section of residents in R.K.Nagar and Triplicane benefit from the scheme.
EOM
