SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Mar 5: In a major crackdown, the Dhanbad Municipal Corporation (DMC) sealed seven water ATMs and cancelled their license for selling cold drinks, cosmetic items and snacks.
On the direction of Town Commissioner Satyendra Kumar, an inspection squad of the DMC comprising Food Inspector Anil Kumar, Suman Kumar (junior engineer) and Shivshankar conducted the licensed water ATMs and found other items being sold using them rather than water.
The DMC officials said that for the facility of denizens in the city, the corporation had got into an agreement with Ruchika Agency in 2018 and issued a license for operating water ATMs at nine places in the city. But during the inspection, it was found that they were selling other items.
In the raid, some water ATM operators were found storing and selling cold drinks, biscuits, milk packets and other food materials.
The water ATMs were sealed at the Medical College campus, Steel Gate, Hirapur park market, registry office, bus stand Bartend, Station Road and Rangatand bus depot.
The officials further said that as per the agreement, Ruchika Agency had to provide one litre RO water at Rs. 5 to people while free of cost to Rickshaw pullers and handicapped persons. Since operators were selling other items, people were facing a crisis for drinking water.
“Complaints were continuously pouring in against the Water ATMs. So the raid was conducted and irregularities were found. As per the agreement, the Water ATM operator had to sell only water but they found selling different items. Their license has been cancelled,” said town commissioner Satyendra Kumar.
