HOME   
   NEWS   
   BUSINESS   
   CRICKET   
   SPORTS   
   MOVIES   
   NET GUIDE   
   SHOPPING   
   BLOGS  
   ASTROLOGY  
   MATCHMAKER  


Search:



The Web

Rediff








Business
Portfolio Tracker
Business News
Specials
Columns
Market Report
Mutual Funds
Interviews
Tutorials
Message Board
Stock Talk



Home > Business > PTI > Report

Probe panel on bottled water to submit report soon

February 24, 2003 16:00 IST

Amid raging controversy over quality of bottled water, the government on Monday said the high-level inquiry panel probing alleged presence of deadly pesticides in branded packaged water would soon submit its findings.

"I am yet to receive the report from the four-member inquiry committee but I am scheduled to make a statement in Parliament on Tuesday on the issue relating to quality of bottled water and action being taken by the government," Consumer Affairs Minister Sharad Yadav told reporters.

The minister said he would speak to the concerned officials to ascertain the progress of investigation into the matter and hoped the panel would be able to give its report before the inquiry committee, headed by additional secretary in the Consumer Affairs Department, Satwant Kaur Reddy, who has been asked to submit its report within three weeks.

On the basis of its findings, he said the government would initiate steps including adoption of revised norms and new standards for providing safe bottled drinking water, which is sold after certification by the Bureau of Indian Standards.

The probe was ordered following claims made by an NGO about the presence of pesticides in bottled water. The BIS also proposed to revise methods of analysis through internationally established test methods meeting the prescribed residue limits.

A draft notification for inviting comments from public to amend the standards of packaged drinking water and mineral water has been issued and later necessary amendments are proposed to be made in the law.

Asserting that quality norms would be strictly enforced, Yadav said ISI markings for eight bottled water units have been withdrawn for flouting BIS regulations.

© Copyright 2003 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.



Article Tools

Email this Article

Printer-Friendly Format

Letter to the Editor









HOME   
   NEWS   
   BUSINESS   
   CRICKET   
   SPORTS   
   MOVIES   
   NET GUIDE   
   SHOPPING   
   BLOGS  
   ASTROLOGY  
   MATCHMAKER  
© 2003 rediff.com India Limited. All Rights Reserved.