Reported by Chinmaya Dehury

Bhubaneswar, July 14:

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has rapped the Odisha government for non-realisation of water charges, including energy compensation charges, amounting Rs 9503.31 crore from various industries, including state PSU Odisha Hydro Power Corporation (OHPC).

CAG officeThe government had failed to properly implement Odisha Irrigation Act 1959 and Odisha Irrigation Rules 1961, the CAG said in its report on the economic sector for the year ended March 2013.

It said it was surprised to find that 282 industrial or commercial organisations did not even bother installing flow meters violating the Irrigation Act.

“Flow meters have not been installed in 282 industrial/commercial organisations out of 427 such organisations. Even in industries where flow metres were installed, monthly reading were not taken by departmental officials,” revealed the audit report that was tabled in the state Assembly today.

304 industrial units have not executed agreements to draw water with the government while no penal rate was imposed on the erring units.

As per the progress reports of 12 divisions, Rs 331.33 crore was pending for collection from 183 industrial units.

The report also revealed that there is absence of rules for customers drawing water for both industrial and domestic use.

“Odisha Irrigation Act and Rules made thereunder are silent on apportioning water supplied to mega industrial units or commercial organisations for their industrial purpose and also for supply to their township which include largely domestic consumers,” said the report.