The controversy over the quality of mineral water surfaced again in the Rajya Sabha on Friday with deputy chairperson Najma Heptullah asking the government to clarify the exact position after several opposition members charged the ministries with making conflicting statements.
The issue was raised through a special mention by Kum Kum Rai (RJD) who said while Health Minister Sushma Swaraj maintained that there was nothing wrong with the quality of water, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Sharad Yadav had recommended withdrawal of ISI marks because of presence of pesticides more than the prescribed level.
Demanding a water policy, she said these contradictory statements caused widespread apprehension among people.
Quoting a study by an NGO, the member said the bottled water in the country contained 36.4 times more than the prescribed level of pesticides, which was dangerous as it could lead to cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure.
As several Congress members joined the issue, Heptullah said there was confusion in everybody's mind and the government should clarify the truth.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel said the health minister had already stated in the Lok Sabha on Thursday that there was no ground for any apprehension on the quality of water, adding the government was attempting to initiate stringent norms (of inspection) as per international standards.
