Question : SALE OF CONTAMINATED WATER AT RAILWAY STATIONS

(a) whether the Government are aware that contaminated water is being sold in the name of mineral water at various railway stations in Delhi as reported in the ‘Rashtriya Sahara’ on May 3, 2001;

(b) if so, whether any enquiry has been conducted by the Government in this regard;

(c) if so, the outcome thereof and the action taken thereon;

(d) whether the Government are also aware that water taps at various railway stations have been damaged by the water vendors in connivance with the local railway administration; and

(e) if so, the steps being taken by the Government to check such type of practice at railway stations?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS ( SHRI O. RAJAGOPAL )

(a) to (e) No, Sir. The news item published in Rashtriya Sahara on 3.5.2001 was noticed and checks were conducted. Most water taps at railway stations at Delhi were found in working condition except a few on account of some defects. However, the allegation against vendors indulging in damaging water taps could not be substantiated.

During this period 21 sample checks were under taken. In few cases, water samples were not found upto the mark for which fines have been imposed in ten cases. Regular checks are conducted by the railway officials to check sale of spurious bottled water at railway stations. Zonal Railways have been advised to permit the sale of Bureau of Indian Standard approved packaged drinking water having ISI mark in railway premises.