Correspondent
BOKAJAN, Sept 12: Similar to all parts of the country, packaged or bottled jars have become the most sought-after water across urban areas of Karbi Anglong district and as drinking water becomes scarcer, citizens make a massive rush to the easiest available source and purchase the ones that are more economic. However, safety has become a matter of great concern as factories are mushrooming in a massive pace inside the Bokajan Sub-Division.
In such time, two brands identified as H2O and Royal Water have been selling bottled jar water across the town at allegedly cheaper rates than other brands. Based on the information received, TDE visited the two factories located near CRPF camp situated near the bank of the Dhansiri river.
According to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) regulations, every bottle’s sealed cap must be wrapped with a colored plastic seal that bears the batch number, date of manufacturing, and expiration date printed on it. However, the factories were not only unhygienic but the water was sourced from boring wells with barely visible trademark bottles. The condition of the two factories seems dubious and operating without any permission or license from the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council and its Taxation Department.
Following this, several concerned citizens have called authorities for immediate verification of these two business establishments and water from these unbranded jars for safety tests in the greater interest of the general public.