Odisha govt issues show cause notice to 21 industries

Odisha government has issued show-cause notices to 21 major industries, including central public sector companies Nalco and HAL, who defaulted in paying water cess since 2005-06, officials said.
If the companies do not pay dues or sign the agreement with OHPC (Odisha Hydro-Power Corporation) by November 20, water will not be supplied to the industrial bodies, Water Resources Chief Engineer Ramakant Satapathy said.
The water resources department issued the notices based on a report of the OHPC about non-payment of water cess by the 21 companies.
The Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and Nalco are among the 21 companies which have been drawing water from the Upper Kolab reservoir, the OHPC maintained, adding, these industrial units have neither signed any agreement nor have they paid water cess to it till date.

Stating that the illegal draw of water from Hirakud and Upper Kolab reservoirs has adversely affected power generation, the OHPC had urged the water resources department to take necessary action against these 21 industrial units.
In the notice, the department has asked these industries to make agreement with the OHPC by November 20 and pay the required water tax and amount towards loss in power generation, failing which it would disconnect water supply to these industries from November 21.