Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: The Goa State Industries Association has slammed the State government for announcing the free-water scheme for domestic consumers terming it as looting industries to give free water to the public.
“Goa Government has announced free water of 16 m3 to the public from 1/9/2021. But, the industries have now received a circular from the Field Managers of their respective Industrial Estates that water tariff is increased from 1/4/2021 to Rs. 39/- per m3 and, to industries using water as raw material, it is increased to Rs. 78/ per m3,” said GSIA President Damodar Kochkar.
He further said that Chief Minister, while announcing free water to consumers, said it is under the “save water from getting free water” mission, but the Government’s intention appears to be “Free water to save votes”.
Kochar said that the industry, the highest contributor to State’s GDP, has been struggling to survive for the last 18 months of the pandemic.
“The industry made several appeals to the Government to provide some hand-holding measures during these difficult times. However, the Government appears to be concerned about their vote bank only leaving the industry to fend for themselves,” he added.
GSIA also said that with the increase in water tariff, the industries will be forced to buy water from the tanker suppliers or draw the water from borewells, deplete the groundwater level and cause environmental damage.
Speaking to Goemkarponn, Kochkar said this was absolute injustice on the industries, paying huge taxes and generating employment.
“We expect some sensible decision by the government; every year increasing the tariff will not help the cause,” he said.
How much can you burden the industries? He asked.
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