Kerala has become the first state in India to put a cap on the price of water bottle being sold in the state.
Rs 13 has been declared as the maximum price which any water bottle company can charge for a water bottle in Kerala.
A huge, massive step to help consumers and to stop private companies from profiteering from water bottles.
Rs 13 Price Capped For Water Bottle
In a recent decision by the Cabinet in Kerala, price of water bottle sold has been capped ast Rs 13, across the state.
The proposal was shared by Food Department, which has been approved by the Cabinet, and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has signed the regulation, making it a law.
Infact, Kerala Govt was keen to regulate the price of water bottles in 2018 itself, and had proposed a cap of Rs 12 for every water bottle. But this was opposed by the private firms.
And now, Rs 13 has been agreed to be the maximum price for any water bottle.
How Did This Happen?
Kerala Govt. has now included water as part of the essential commodities list, which means that no private firm has book excessive profits from the same.
While explaining this move, Food Minister P Thilothaman said, “We have added it under the list of essential articles. This means that no private bottled drinking water manufacturers can sell their product at more than the fixed cap. This will remain uniform across the state,”
The Kerala Essential Articles Control Act, 1986 (13 of 1986) clearly defines the rules and regulations for such essential items.
Kerala Govt. Wants To Stop Profiteering Of Water Bottles
As per research done by Kerala Govt., a water bottle takes just Rs 6 to produce, and Rs 2 is the distribution and supply cost. Hence, Rs 13 seems to be a fair amount for water bottle regulation.
There are more than 300 brands which are selling water bottles in Kerala.
The Kerala Bottled Water Manufacturers’ Association, which has around 100 members, has welcomed this move.
However, it seems that some of the water bottle firms may approach High Court to contest this decision.
We will keep you updated, as more details come in.