Thiruvananthapuram: The government handed over the packaged drinking water plant in Aruvikkara here to the public sector company Kerala Irrigation Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (KIIDC) despite objections from the Water Authority. 

Even though the CPI (M) member in the Water Authority board opposed the move, the plant was handed over to KIIDC. However, the KIIDC has demanded Rs 2 crore from the Water Authority to initiate functioning of the plant.

The Water Authority started the plant near the water reservoir in Aruvikkara in order to find revenue. The draft plan was designed by the Water Authority and the plant was built at a cost of Rs 16 crore. However, the management of the company was later handed over to KIIDC due to the intervention of Kerala Water Resources Department (KWRD).

But the Water Authority board was not ready for this. This is clear from the minutes of the meeting held on May 29. Mathrubhumi News has received a copy of these documents. CPI (M) nominee Chettachal Sahadevan informed that handing over the packaged drinking water plant was against the interest of the Water Authority board.

All trade unions had opposed the move and were planning to inform their objection to the government. However, this was ignored by the government. As KIIDC demanded Rs 2 crore even after signing the agreement, the plant is not functioning. The government also is unable to provide the funds due to the financial crisis.