IBA said that Coca-Cola and PepsiCo play a "critical"
The beverages body, in which the Indian Soft Drinks Manufacturers Association is also a member, said Coca-cola and Pepsi also "sustain the interests of thousands of Tamil Nadu farmers, by procuring their agri-produce. "
role in improving the livelihood of over two lakh retailers, who earn more than "Rs 400" crore in income by selling products of the two companies.
The beverages body, in which the Indian Soft Drinks Manufacturers Association is also a member, said Coca-cola and Pepsi also "sustain the interests of thousands of Tamil Nadu farmers, by procuring their agri-produce." The two companies together provide direct employment to "2,000 families in Tamil Nadu" and more than "15,000 families indirectly," through their extensive supply chain, IBA said.
It said both "Hindustan Coca-Cola and PepsiCo India are local companies, registered in India and compliant to all applicable rules and regulations.. and they respect local culture and consumer sentiments."
IBA member companies are "deeply involved" in ensuring the "welfare and sustenance of local community." Such member companies have adopted local villages, restored water bodies, built check dams, helped in poverty alleviation and their role in disaster relief and rehabilitation initiatives like the Chennai floods is "well documented," it said.
"IBA hopes that good sense will prevail and that consumers will continue to have the right to exercise their choice in Tamil Nadu. IBA is open to engage with any organisation that has a diverse point of view." Leading companies of the non-alcoholic beverage industry including Dabur India, Red Bull, Tetra Pak India, Pearl Drinks and Bengal Beverages, Coca-Cola India, Pepsico India Holdings came together to form the IBA in 2010.
(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)