Conspiracy to sabotage Kochi Water: Mayor
- The 25 cr project is run by Kudumbashree members
- Companies selling packaged drinking water are conspiring against Kochi Water
- Lab tests have ruled out presence of E.coli and coliform bacteria
FollowKochi Mayor Soumini Jain alleged conspiracy to sabotage the sale of Kochi Water, the packaged drinking water marketed by Kerala State Women's Development Corporation (KSWDC) and Kochi Corporation. The Corporation is selling Kochi Water at a rate much lower than other packaged drinking water brands.
It is alleged that coliform bacteria was present in the water treatment plant of Kochi Water at Edapally. Kochi Water is being sold at ₹20 per litre, and this has affected the sale of other companies who are selling water for a higher rate.
Kudumbashree workers run the 25-cr project set up by Kochi Corporation in cooperation with KSWDC which is responsible for maintenance.
"We test water samples once in every 15 days at in a lab which has the accreditation of Kerala State Pollution Control Board. The tests have ruled out the presence of E.coli and coliform bacteria," Jain said.
She also said that in the wake of allegations water samples collected from the plant could be tested at Regional Analytical Laboratory in Kakkanad. The mayor also mooted a new protocol under which water samples are to be collected in the presence of ward councillor, health inspectors, Kudumbashree members, FSSAI officers and health standing committee chairperson.
However, Health Standing Committee chairperson V K Minimol said that it would be time-consuming.
Another allegation was the presence of a middleman who allegedly pocketed half the profit of Kudumbashree members, who had taken a bank loan to run the project. Jain clarified that it was not a middle man but an agency appointed by KSWDC for the maintenance of the plant.
