Mahabubabad: 13 packaged drinking water units sealed

Mahabubabad: As many as 13 packaged drinking water plants that are not complying with the norms and running without proper permissions in Thorrur were seized.

Mahabubabad Additional Collector Abhilasha Abhinav, who conducted surprise raids on unauthorised water plants in Thorrur town on Friday, slapped a fine of Rs 80,000.

During the raid, it was also found that several plants, which were already sealed for non-compliance of norms, were also running. It's learnt that the raids were carried out after some water plant owners, who have permissions, approached the Human Rights Commission alleging the presence of water plants running illegally.

Collector VP Gautham said that the majority of the plants have maintenance defects and running under unhygienic conditions. They are deceiving people in the name of pure drinking water. He said that it's mandatory for the plant owners to acquire permission from municipal or Panchayat administration before operating their units. Permission should also be obtained from the Department of Industries.

BSI permits for plant management. The plants must have microbiologists and other staff to maintain the standards, he said. Municipal Chairman Mangalapally Ramachandraiah, Commissioner Gunde Babu, Sanitary Inspector Devender and Health Inspector Raju were among others present in the raids.