Exposing the alleged favouritism to industrial houses at the cost of the farmers, the Opposition members in the State Assembly on Saturday slammed the State Government for initiating a process to waive a whopping Rs 9 crore water tax to Vedanta Alumina.

The issue rocked the House with Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh quoting Government sources said that the Additional Secretary of Water Resources Department had recommended to the Chief Engineer, Water Resources to waive Rs 9 crore water tax in favour of Vedanta Alumina, Jharsuguda. He sought the Government to clarify under which circumstances, such a huge amount would be exempted to the “blue eyed” Vedanta Alumina.

He alleged that while the Government was insisting the farmers to deposit water tax in Hirakund command areas one year advance and imposing fines in case of non-payment of water tax, why the Vedanta was shown favour.

He lamented that Government was not giving assistance of waiving the water tax to the farmers for the crop loss during drought and also floods. He urged the Government to order an inquiry into the alleged waiving of water tax to Vedanta.