Industry associations up in arms against MIDC over water charges

Thane, July 21 (UNI) Several industries associations in the State are up in arms against the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) over collection of water charges from industries situated in MIDC's in the State.

Since no rules have been framed by the Maharashtra government for the recovery of water charges by the MIDC from the industries and the regulation does not empower MIDC in this respect, industry associations have decided to challenge the recovery of water charges by MIDC and even to stop the payment of such illegal charges by MIDC.

A firm decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the representatives of various Industry and Manufacturers' associations called by Chamber of Small Industries Assocation at Thane on Friday.

After the explanations and clarifications by High Court Advocate Ajay Talhar on this issue it was found that MIDC is recovering water and other charges from the industries year after year without any legal backing. Recently, MIDC had hiked the water rates on the plea of hike in royalty to be paid to the irrigation department.

This hike has prompted the Industries Associations to challenge this action of MIDC under the banner of COSIA.

The meeting, presided over by (Appa) M R Khambete, President of COSIA, was attended by the officer bearers of the various Industry Associations from Thane, Navi Mumbai, Pimpri Chinchwad, Pune, Sangali, Raigad, Nashik, Patalgana, Kalyan, and Ambernath .

UNI