Jajpur: Mindless supply of water of Brahmani for industrial use by Orissa Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Idco) has kept the farmers starving for water for irrigation in this district, a report said.
This has happened due to the short-sighted policy of Idco which chose to supply water to industries at Kalinganagar despite having an outstanding of `4.30 crore on four industrial units.
The heavy outstanding has put Idco in a fix as it has failed to pay water tax to the state government. The defaulting firms are Rohit Ferrotech, Mesco Steel, Visa Steel and Dinabandhu Steel & Power Ltd in Kalinganagar. While Rohit owes an outstanding of `1.22 crore, Mesco owes `1.16 crore, Visa `37 lakh and Dinabandhu `1.54 crore.
Meanwhile, Idco has insisted the firms to clear their arrears immediately failing which their water supply will be discontinued without notice.
Sources from Idco said Rohit Ferrotech having an outstanding of `1.22 crore has not paid the cess till July despite several reminders following which water supply was stopped to the firm from August 18. The company unnerved over the move approached for settlement and agreed to clear the amount in 24 installments and paid `5 lakh towards first installment.
An amount of `1,16,97,524 was pending on Mesco by July end. The company which was earlier playing truant agreed to clear the amount in 12 installments and paid `9, 75000 towards first installment after water supply was stopped to the firm.
An amount of `37,17,252 was pending on Visa and the company has been let off with a mild warning. It has been asked to clear its arrears before renewing its agreement for water supply. Similarly, an amount of `1,54,26,769 is pending on Dinabandhu Steel which has been asked to clear the sum in 12 installments from August.
Idco, as per an agreement with Jaraka irrigation division, draws water from Brahmani and supplies them through pipes to industrial units in Kalinganagar. It is alleged out of the 13 major firms three are receiving water from Idco without signing any agreement.
When contacted, Idco CGM Golakh Bihari Kar rejected the charges. PNN