After Madras HC lifts stay on drawing water from Thamirabarani river, new petition filed

A month after the Madras High Court lifted its stay restraining Pepsi and Coca-Cola from using the water of the Thamirabarani river, another petition has been filed in the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court, seeking to stop the supply of water to 15 companies including Pepsi and Coca-Cola.

The petition has been filed by CM Ragavan who hails from Tirunelveli district. The petition stated that the Thamirabarani water is used by people of different districts like Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Virudhunagar and Ramanathapuram districts, The Times of India reports.

Moreover, the petitioner has pointed out that there is water scarcity in reservoirs in Tirunelveli district and that the water provided to the 15 companies eats into the requirements of the people.

The case came up for hearing before the division bench which was headed by Justice A Selvam. However, the bench ordered the case to be heard by another bench.

Last month, the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court had dismissed two PILs filed against the supply of Thamirabarani water to Pepsi and Coca-Cola. While rejecting the petitions, the bench comprising Justices A Selvam and P Kalaiyarasan questioned the petitioners as to why they did not file cases against other industries, which were being supplied with more water than the soft drink giants.

In November 2016, the Madras High Court bench had ordered the State Industrial Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) to not supply water to two companies linked to Pepsi and Coca-Cola.

The News Minute had reported in December 2016 that SIPCOT distributes water to 27 companies in total.