Eighteen industrial houses in Orissa have not paid water taxes to the tune of Rs 150 crore. This is revealed from an affidavit filed by the state Water Resources Department in the Orissa High Court
The affidavit was filed relating to a case on power tariff hike currently being heard by the High Court.
The department said these industrial units owe their dues to major reservoirs in the state including Hirakud dam system.
These units consume around 300 cubic feet per second (cusec) water. The amount of tax is determined through a formula which says industrial houses should pay for the amount of water they draw, which would have been otherwise used in generating electricity.On April 1, the Orissa Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) had ordered increase in electricity charges for domestic and industrial users.