Government defends ‘water for industries’ stand

Government defends ‘water for industries’ stand
Express News Service
First Published : 06 Aug 2010 07:47:42 AM IST
Last Updated : 06 Aug 2010 12:10:30 PM IST
BHUBANESWAR: The State Government today sought to water down the Opposition charges over use of the Mahanadi water for industries.
Against the backdrop of the agitation against the use of the river water for industrial use picking up steam, an unrelenting government strongly defended its decision to supply water to industries from the river and Hirakud reservoir.
Dismissing Opposition claims that there is insufficient water in Mahanadi as its bed has become swallow due to heavy siltation, Industries Minister Raghunath Mohanty said 66 per cent of water flows down the sea unutilised.
“Only 14 per cent of Mahanadi water is used in monsoon season, while 34 per cent of it is available for use during non-monsoon period,” he said while making a statement in response to a calling attention motion moved by ruling BJD members.
The Minister rejected demand of Mahanadi Banchao Andolan (MBA) for constitution of a commission to examine different aspects of the river water use terming it ‘irrelevant’.
The Central Water Commission (CWC) examines all technical aspects while approving all inter-state irrigation projects. Besides, the State Government has set up a high- level technical committee for better management of the Mahanadi river water and suggesting flood-control measures.
While 7.9 per cent water from the river is given to industries during the non-monsoon season, 12.95 per cent is meant for agriculture and 2.2 per cent for drinking water, he said. Refuting the Opposition charge that the State Government is providing water to industries at the cost of farmers, the Minister said the Centre’s policy on water distribution is being followed. He said drinking water comes first in the priority list followed by ecological and environmental protection, agriculture, hydro electricity projects, industries and tourism.
Mohanty asserted that agriculture has been given priority in river water distribution and the State Government would not act against the interest of farmers. There are 17 reservoirs, including Hirakud, on Mahanadi while six more large and medium reservoirs are under construction.
After the completion of these projects, expected in 2014, 15 per cent of water flowing into the sea can be utilised, he said.
He said agreements have been signed with 35 industries for supply of water from the Naraj barrage. Only eight are drawing water from the barrage at present.
Similarly, 14 industries have been allowed to draw water from the Hirakud reservoir, he said. Quoting a CWC report in 2007, the Minister said 0.500 million acre feet Mahanadi water could be used in industries. “Now industries use only 0.0785 million acre feet of water which is much less than the recommended supply,” he said.