Rs 10 'Hilly Aqua' bottled water scheme at ration shops hits roadblock

KOTTAYAM: The 'Hilly Aqua' bottled water scheme, which was being sold at ration shops for Rs 10, has hit a roadblock. The Sujalam bottled water scheme, implemented in ration shops in collaboration with the Kerala Irrigation Infrastructure Development Corporation, did not succeed as expected.

The scheme, launched in 2023, initially received a good response, but due to low commission, ration traders withdrew. The agreement was to sell the water that traders received for Rs 8 for Rs 10. The condition that the money should be paid immediately also alienated traders. Concerns about keeping the water cold and the lack of a freezer system turned villains.

The company says that due to the shortage of bottles and high manufacturing costs in the context of the West Asian war, it can only sell water to traders for Rs 9. It also decided to sell it through ration shops for Rs 13, but the agreement in this regard was not signed. In the meantime, elections were held. Meanwhile, the distribution of bottled water through K.Store, Supplyco, Consumerfed, and KTDC is profitable. The company achieved a turnover of Rs 10.5 crore in the last financial year.