Protesting against this move industries working in the MIDC areas of Pune, Kolhapur, Satara, Mahad, Shiroli, Jejuri, Ahmednagar and Pimpri-Chinchwad have decided to defy government orders and not to pay the revised water rates. Industry representatives have demanded that MIDC should not implement the steep increase in water charges.

Industry was of the opinion that while some increase in the water rates may be required to cover incremental cost of inputs, the proposed revision was too steep, irrational and totally disproportionate. Coming at atime when industry is passing through a recession this hike is an untimely blow, industry feels.

A delegation led by Pratap Pawar, vice president of Mahratta Chamber of Commerce and Industries, has sought a meeting with the CEO of MIDC, industry minister and chief minister over this issue and will be demanding that the status quo be maintained. Stung by the criticism, the MIDC did offer to reduce the hike and said that it would cut rates by Re 1 but this was not acceptable to members. At a meeting held at the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce and Industries on April 17, 10 industries associations protested against the 50 per cent hike in the water charges announced by the MIDC. The new rate has come into effect from April 10. Members participating in the meeting have decided to pay bills by calculating the old rates.

Members of the Jejuri Industries Manufacturers Association, Krishna Valley Chamber of Commerce, Manufacturers Association of Satar, Kolhapur Engineering Association, Gokul Shirgaon ManufacturersAssociation, Shiroli Manufacturers Association, Mahad Industries Association, Pimpri-Chinchwad Small Scale Industries Association and the MCCI participated in the meeting.