Thu Feb 06 18:35:00 UTC 2025: ## Kerala Borewell Contractors Demand Crackdown on Unlicensed Agencies
**KOZHIKODE, Feb 7, 2025** – Licensed borewell contractors in Kerala are urging the state government to take action against unlicensed agencies, primarily from other states, operating within Kerala. The contractors, represented by the Government Registered Borewell Contractors Association, claim these unregulated firms compromise the quality of borewell construction using substandard materials and undercutting prices. This practice, they argue, results in significant revenue loss for the government.
According to the association, while 689 licensed agencies operate in the state, an equal number of unlicensed operators are active, particularly in Palakkad and Thrissur districts. In Malappuram district alone, 55 licensed operators are currently functioning.
E.K.T. Ahamed Ameer, general secretary of the association, stated that unlicensed agencies utilize inferior pipes and materials to offer lower rates, undercutting legitimate businesses. He criticized the government’s inaction despite repeated complaints and stressed the urgent need for legislation to regulate these agencies and recoup lost tax revenue. The association has called for the immediate introduction of a law to address the issue.
First Piper 