Jail term for selling packaged water above MRP: Government

Consumer affairs minister, Ram Vilas Paswan has ordered to impose a penalty and jail term on those who sell bottled water above the maximum retail price (MRP). The order is in line with the section 36 of Legal Metrology Act, that clearly orders for punishment of up to Rs 25,000 or more to those caught selling, distributing or delivering any pre-packaged material that does not conform to the declarations on the package. As per the minister, the packaged water is still sold above MRP in multiplexes and airports and no action on the issue could be taken due to lack of complaints as consumers are little aware about this law that came into effect in 2009.

Ten more rivers to be shared between India and Bangladesh

The Joint Rivers Commission of Bangladesh and India has identified 10 rivers--Moharoshi, Uddakhali, Sonkosh, Mohadeo, Harivanga, Chela, Luva, Loha, Kamjhora and Khasimara—they wish to manage together. The two countries already have 54 officially-recognised shared transboundary rivers including the Ganga, Brahmaputra, Teesta and Surma-Kushiara. Along with this, as against the reports of imaginary water war between China and India, the Chinese official media has reported that the former is willing to have multilateral cooperation with India and Bangladesh to share the Brahmaputra waters.  

Kolkata corporation wards has arsenic contamination

As per a recent study, 100 out of 144 wards under the Kolkata Municipal Corporation have significantly higher arsenic contamination in water than the standards prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Also, the situation of arsenic contamination has become seriously alarming in most parts of Kolkata as the wards under arsenic threats have increased in number since 2009. Moreover, major areas in north Kolkata, where there was no arsenic contamination earlier, have entered the critical zone and rapid urbanisation is being held responsible for the decline in the area's water quality. 

Sudden release of Bhutan dam water causes floods in Assam

Without prior information, Bhutan released water from Kurichu dam which flooded Manas and Beki river, the two principal tributaries of Brahmaputra river in lower Assam. The dam water inundated two Assam districts—Barpeta and Baksa—affecting more than 24,000 people in the state along with inundating the Manas National Park. No animal, however, has got affected. Although, the two neighbouring countries have signed a pact of sharing information of release of water from Bhutan’s dams in 2004-05, such situations have occurred in the past as well. 

First water panchayat held in UP's Bhagpat

Last week, hundreds of villages along the Krishni, Kali and Hindon rivers across western UP attended the first-of-its-kind ‘water panchayat’. During the panchayat, more than 50 village pradhans took oath to intensify fight against the irresponsible authorities who have rendered the groundwater in the region highly polluted due to discharge of industrial waste. The water pollution has resulted in cancer, bone deformities and other diseases in the region. Moreover, despite the National Green Tribunal’s order to provide potable drinking water to these villages, nothing impactful has been witnessed on the ground. 

This is a roundup of important news from October 10-16, 2016. Also read the policy matters of this week.

Lead image source: Pixabay.com