Indian court allows beverage giants to use water from river
The ruling comes at a time when the two companies are also battling a boycott by local traders’ associations.
The Coca-Cola Company logo is pictured during a presentation in Paris, France, January 19, 2016. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier
Recommended articles
![President Biden to skip UN Climate conference kickoff in Dubai, White House schedule confirms [Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20width%3D'100'%20height%3D'100'%20data-ring-placeholder%3D'1'%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E "President Biden to skip UN Climate conference kickoff in Dubai, White House schedule confirms [Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images]")
The Madras High Court ruling came four months after petitioner PA Prabhakar argued that the beverage giants should not be allowed to use the water for commercial gain while farmers were struggling to irrigate crops.
Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages and PepsiCo India, subsidiaries of the multinational companies, told the court that they were being unfairly targeted, NDTV news channel reported.
They said they were part of a government-run industrial estate in Tirunelveli district where the waters of the Tamiraparani river were supplied to all industries in the complex.
ADVERTISEMENT
The bottling plants in the estate have not been allowed to use the water for the past four months pending the court’s decision.
“Drinks like Coke and Pepsi are unhealthy as they have high sugar content and chemicals.
“Fruit juices and Indian soft drinks are much better,’’ TT Vellaiyan, president of the Federation of Tamil Nadu Traders Association, said.
Shops and restaurants were being asked to not stock the two beverages and encourage local businesses, Vellaiyan said.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: news@pulselive.co.ke
Recommended articles
Housing Levy ruling: Edwin Sifuna tells Kenyans to halt celebrations
Housing Levy back on! Court temporarily suspends its earlier ruling
High Court suspends implementation of Ruto's key health law
Hussein Mohamed: Why Cabinet hasn't declared El Nino a national disaster
Biden to skip UN Climate conference kickoff in Dubai, White House schedule confirms
Azimio MP's brother found dead
Ruto endorses National Dialogue Committee recommendations, reveals next steps
Martha Karua speaks as focus shifts to Ruto & Raila after NADCO report release
