THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Not only those going to buy ration, but passers-by can also buy bottled water from ration shops from now at Rs 10 per litre only. A litre of water costs Rs.20 in the open market.
Quality bottled water named 'Hilly Aqua' produced by Kerala Irrigation Infrastructure Development Corporation, a public sector organization under the Irrigation Department, will be available through ration shops from now on. It is charged up to Rs 15 in the open market. It will be distributed through all ration shops in the state. Keeping in view the Sabarimala season, fresh stock will be delivered to the ration shops in Kottayam, Idukki and Pathanamthitta districts in the first phase. Traders will be given the product at 8 rupees and they will get 2 rupees as after-sales commission.
The scheme of delivering bottled water through ration shops was devised by Minister Thilothaman when he was the Food Minister, against the action of private companies agreeing to the government to reduce the price of bottled water and then selling it at Rs 20. At that time, it was decided to deliver bottled water to the ration shops through Supplyco at Rs.10 and sell it at Rs.11. The project did not take place due to complaints from merchants that the commission was not enough. The sale is now in better condition than it was back then.
The government has issued an order on 25th allowing the bottled water distribution project according to the report given to the government by the Civil Supplies Commissioner after considering the request of the KIIDC General Manager.
Intervention in price changes