A.MUHAMED MUSTAQUE, Acg.C.J.

These matters are filed by the contractors who have been awarded contract by the Water Authority under the 'Jal Jeevan Mission' to execute a composite contract, which includes providing Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs).

2.The issue arose before the learned Single Judge at the instance of the licensed plumbers. The issue was whether a contractor without a plumbing license could be engaged to provide such connections. The learned Single Judge answered in favour of the plumbers and issued the following directions:-

1) The official respondents of the Kerala Water Authority are directed to engage the licensed plumbers for providing Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs), which is also referred to in certain tenders in Exts.P15 to P186 as Household Retrofittable Extendable Water Service Connections.

2)The 2nd respondent and its officers are directed not to provide any Domestic Connections/House connections/Functional Household Tap Connections also referred to in certain cases as Household Retrofittable/Extendable Water Service Connections other than through licensed plumbers as envisaged under the law.

3) The 2nd respondent and its offic