Karachi: The Sindh government has sought data pertaining to the utilisation of water by hotels and industrial units in the province – a news source reported.
Provincial Chief Secretary Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah expressed his views on the matter. He said that the Supreme Court has already ordered mineral water companies to pay PKR 1 per-litre tax on water utilised by these manufacturers.
He further stated that hotels and industrial units utilise large volumes of water but pay nothing for it. Taxing them will lead to generating additional revenue for the provincial government.
To facilitate this end, a framework mechanism will be devised with regard to calculation and collection of water charges from industries and hotels consuming surface or groundwater.
Local Government Secretary Khalid Hyder Shah has been nominated as focal person to this effect.
Moreover, water flow meters and close-circuit cameras will be installed in these structures. The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) will monitor the extraction process.
