Sub-committee's report to frame water policy for industries

"bottled water and soft drinks industry should be charged higher water-cess". This was among a series of recommendations issued by a sub committee to frame a water policy for industries. The sub committee was formed by the groundwater recharge council. The sub-committee stresses on the importance of locating industries based on their consumption capacity and water availability. The report has also recommended that rainwater harvesting be made mandatory within the catchment, upstream of industries, in addition to within factory premises. On

Online Pure hype

www.dasani.com This website is prefaced by a question "What makes your mouth water?" Before you have a moment to think, the answers come thick and fast. "The crisp taste of Dasani. Delicious Dasani flavours...Each Dasani product is enhanced to deliver a mouth-watering experience." There is an exegesis on a "vitamin-enhanced" variety. Dainty posters to download besides.

San Francisco bans bottled water

In a move to check global warming and save taxpayers' money, San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom recently banned the use of bottled water even in water coolers. The ban came into effect from July 1, 2007. Newsom cited the environmental impact of making, transporting and disposing of the bottles as the main reason for the ban. More than a billion bottles end up in the state's landfills each year, he said. "We're hoping to set the example for the private sector and other cities in getting off the

What a waste

Click here to view the factsheet (.pdf format)

Troubled waters

The safety of the Bisleri bottled water brand is once again in question. On October 25, 2004, the Maharashtra Food and Drug administration (FDA) ordered Parle Bisleri, the brand's manufacturer, to immediately stop production at its two Mumbai units. The reason cited was non-compliance with Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) norms. The company was asked not to release the product in the market till further orders.

Against slavery of a new kind

Coke-Pespi Ki Loot Aur Paani Ki Jung Edited by Aflatoon Samajwadi Janparishad Uttar Pradesh 2004

The battle of the Indian bulge -- II

I never thought I would write in defence of the Indian state. But I am. The de-construction of the notion of public space and the practice of public service is evident and will cripple us enormously. But I am also clear that re-construction will demand considerable innovation. We will be fooling ourselves if we believe that merely doing more of what we do now serves any purpose. The state is vital. But today it is too full of blubber. It is this bulge which needs to be revamped and re-strengthened, so that the state can play its role effectively.

In Short

sky's the limit: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is going to launch a European satellite into orbit from its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle by the end of 2005. ISRO chief Madhavan Nair said this would be the first EU satellite to be launched by the country. The organisation recently won a US $10-million contract for the purpose.

Total recall

On March 19, 2004, over 500,000 bottles of Coca Cola's Dasani bottled water was recalled within 24 hours in the United Kingdom (uk).

Filtering the fine print

Water Filter The confusion resulting from reports about pesticides in bottled water and soft drinks saw a few companies sneak-ride upon the concerns of the bewildered common man. Take, for instance, the ad for Usha Brita Waterguard (in The Hindustan Times, September 6, 2003), which instead of detailing the cleaning process, gives visual prominence to news clippings of reportage on pesticides in bottled water.