SMC chief objects to Pandesara water plan

Urges state govt to shoot down reduced rates proposal

Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) chief G R Aloria has opposed the standing committee's proposal to supply water to Pandesara industries at reduced rates. The municipal commissioner has urged the state government to shoot down the proposal.

"I am of the opinion that the new policy is against the interests of SMC and the city. I have written to the state government to disallow any such move," Aloria said

"The new water policy could hurt SMC. If the state government decides to collect water charges from us, the corporation could suffer heavily. The new policy would also result in disparity in prices at which water is supplied to industries," he explained.

"The new policy could also raise doubts over the necessity of appointing an arbitrator for recovering Rs 47 crore that the Pandesara industries owe to SMC," he added.

For several years, the SMC has been supplying water to Pandesara industries at Rs 25 per kilolitre. Around Diwali, BJP representatives in the SMC proposed to reduce the water price to Rs 16, which was approved by the SMC standing committee and the general board.

The municipal commissioner's opposition has not gone down well with SMC standing committee and the industries concerned.

"The municipal commissioner's opposition to the new water policy is unwarranted, as the fears expressed are nonexistent. There is no possibility of the state slapping water bills on SMC. The corporation does not have to pay any charges for drawing up to 300 cusec water from Kakrapar weir each day. SMC draws less than this and, hence, there is no question of paying any water charges," standing committee chairman Pravin Naik, said.

"The second point about the disparity in water prices is also not valid as water is supplied to Pandesara industries under a special package since 1998," he clarified.

"As far as appointment of an arbitrator to resolve the dispute over payment of dues to the tune of Rs 47 crore, is concerned, it has no connection with the proposal to reduce water prices," Naik said.

"After a long time, a final decision regarding the water policy was taken. This decision is in the interests of the SMC and the industries concerned. But Aloria's opposition is bad news for us and it will hurt the industries," an office bearer of Pandesara Green Environment and Water Welfare Society, said requesting anonymity.

Commissioner Aloria has taken the battle to the state government, and the rulers have decided to follow him. The BJP representatives are scheduled to travel to Gandhinagar on Thursday, to meet officials and ministers of the concerned departments, to sort out the dispute.