Jajpur/Dharmasala: Excepting a waiver, the state-owned Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Idco) has allegedly ignored paying an arrear of Rs 16.75 crore towards water cess to Jaraka irrigation division in Jajpur district.
The hefty amount has been billed on Idco for drawing eight cusecs of water from river Brahmani and supplying it to various industrial units in Kalinganagar. Idco has been drawing water from the river since November 1999.
The cess amount is increasing day by day, but Idco is paying no attention to clearing the dues despite receiving several reminders from the irrigation division. This has happened even as the corporation collects Rs 2 crore per month from various industrial units towards water cess and the state government has issued clear instructions on collection of outstanding water cess.
The state government had waived of Rs 56.4 crore on Idco towards water cess in November 2015. The corporation expects the government to come to its rescue again and waive of Rs 16.75 crore.
Sources said the state body has been drawing water from the river without constituting a water conservation fund and installing a water meter. Moreover, it has failed to realise Rs 5.58 crore outstanding on seven plants in Kalinganagar towards water cess.
Among them, a major steel firm owes the highest amount of Rs 3.12 crore towards water cess to Idco. This apart, the Nilachal Ispat Nigam Ltd (NINL) has an outstanding of Rs 5.72 crore.
About 33 firms are using the Brahmani water and groundwater in the jurisdiction of Jaraka irrigation division. The irrigation division has been collecting over Rs 30 crore towards water cess every year. However, it has failed to utilise the money to ensure supply of clean drinking water to residents in riparian villages.
When contacted, Bamaprasad Biswal, executive engineer of the division, said several reminders have been sent to Idco for payment of water cess. However, the non-payment has put the department in loss, he added.
PNN