Sale of fake mineral water in containers in different areas of the capital has turned a booming business with ruling party men or others using their names allegedly getting involved in it and controlling the market.
Small hotels, tea stalls and confectionaries sell such fake mineral water to their customers for Tk 1 a glass, causing serious health hazards.
The illegal trade is spreading since the authorities conduct drives only to unearth fake mineral water plants, and not against sale of such water.
Contacted, Director of Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) Mohammad Lutfur Rahman Khan admitted this, and said from now on they will also launch drives against the sellers of fake mineral water so that they can track down its producers and suppliers.
On the sale of mineral water at Tk 1 a glass, he said it is ‘impossible if the water is pure’.
BSTI sources said they sealed off more than seven fake mineral water plants in the capital and seized their equipment and jars in the last three months.
The BSTI authorities could not give any information about the number of fake mineral water plants. But an official seeking anonymity said such plants are mushrooming in different parts of the city, and there are already several hundred.
Traders of such impure water fill their jars with WASA water and use fake BSTI seals on the jars, the official said.
During a visit to different areas of the capital, it was found that ruling party men or those backed by them have driven away agents of mineral water firms and replaced their (firms) jars and cooling machines in the small food shops and hotels.
These people usually use English alphabets as marks on the jars to identify their ones and distribute those in different areas, giving no scope to others.
A number of traders said these people operate their fake mineral water plants at night and keep the houses concerned locked from outside to evade BSTI drives in daytime.
Sources said the elements distribute the jars with KFC-MR marks at Garden road in West Karwan Bazar, jars with OM marks in Kazipara area and those with IMC marks in Farmgate area. Different such marks are used for different areas
Some traders in Karwan Bazar said one Badu Mia, whose brother is a local Awami League leader, has driven away at least 20 agents of different mineral water firms who used to supply water in this area. He compelled tea stall and food shop owners to sell water supplied by him.
Asked about it, Badu Mia said shop owners in the area wanted him to supply water.
He claimed he is an agent of Pipasha Drinking Water. He supplies water at Tk 25-30 a jar.
But BSTI officials said a jar of mineral water should cost Tk 60-70.
A jar contains around 60-65 glasses of water.
Traders at Rayerbagh in Kadamtali ,seeking anonymity, said Alamgir, Dania unit AL secretary, has driven away agents of different mineral water firms and grabbed water trade in the area.
His men forced traders to take water and cooling machines from them.
Many people in Dholaipar and adjacent areas of Jatrabari said Haji Azad of AL forced food shops and hotel owners to buy water from his men.
He joined AL recently.
Categories: Bangla, Bangladesh, Bangladesh Economy, Bangladesh News, Daily Bangladesh News, Economy, News
