Illegal manufacturing of packaged drinking water poses health danger to public: Karnataka HC

The Karnataka High Court today granted 15 days' time to the Additional Chief Secretary of the State Health and Family Welfare department to implement a previous order of the Court regarding illegal manufacturing of packaged drinking water.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Hemant Chandangoudar observed today,

These units were alleged to be functioning without a license, i.e., ISI certification. In this matter, an earlier order passed on November 7, 2019 by the High Court directed the state government to look into the allegations seriously.

The November 7 order reads,

“We, therefore, direct the State Government to ensure that appropriate officers visit the sites mentioned in the application and ascertain, whether illegal business as alleged is being carried out. Needless to add that if the said illegality is found, the State Government will have to take the immediate action of closure of units in accordance with law.

We grant time of one month to the State Government to take inspection and file compliance by way of objections to the Interim application.”

Today, the Court noted that no action had been taken by the state government to implement the Court’s order. The Court further stated that this is one or the several cases where the state has not implemented the directions/orders of the Court.

Prior to passing today’s order, the Karnataka Court stated,

"What is the action taken? How many units have been examined ? The 5 units that have been examined was done prior the Court’s order. Is it compliance when the inspections were conducted before the order of the Court? Has the concerned officer even understood the order of the Court? Is there a single unit inspected under after 7th November 2019?"

The Court further stated that the November 7 order had to be implemented within a period of 15 days from today. In this regard, a compliance affidavit should be filed on or before February 17, the Court held. The affidavit should also contain reasons for the non-implementation of the previous order of the Court.

The matter will be heard next on February 20.