A Public Interest litigation (PIl) was filed in the Odisha High Court on Thursday in which the petitioner, an RTI activist, has prayed the court to direct the State Government to collect water tax to the tune of Rs 6,000 cr pending from different industries and companies for the past several years.
Pradip Pradhan in his petition also sought a court direction to the Government to lay down a policy of priorities in allocation of water and restrict the use of groundwater by the water-guzzling industries. He has also prayed for collection of pending dues from the defaulters with an interest of 18 per cent per annum and initiate disciplinary action against the officers responsible for non-realisation of water cess.
Stating that a department was established exclusively to deal with water resources so that water is utilised on a priority basis for irrigation, human and animal consumption and industries, the petitioner alleged that these priorities have now reversed in which the Government is showing a softer attitude towards the industries.
Obtaining information through the RTI Act, the petitioner said that as many as 129 companies have not paid water cess since 2000 while 13 such companies have challenged the rate of cess in the courts of law and obtained stay orders.