MSMEs to join hunger strike for EB charges on September 7 in Coimbatore
More than 5,000 members from 70 associations of micro, small, and medium enterprises in Coimbatore, Erode and Tirupur districts will participate in a hunger strike called by the Tamil Nadu Industrial Electricity Consumers’ Federation on Thursday (September 7).
Speaking to reporters in the city on Monday, president of Recycle Textile Federation (RTF) M Jayabal said, “The strike is to bring to the attention of chief minister M K Stalin about the financial problems faced by small, cottage, and medium scale industries involved in textile and other productions due to the hike in electricity charges.” “For the last 11 months since the hike, we have submitted our representations at various levels (authorities and industries minister) seeking revision in electricity price hike.
However, we have not received any positive response,” he said. In July, several associations, including the Open End Spinning Mills Association (OSMA), Recycled Textile Federation (RTF), and Tamil Nadu Association of Cottage and Micro Enterprises (TACT), stopped their production to show their objection to the electricity hike and demand to bring the rate down. After discussions, work resumed in the hope that the government would roll back the prices, but to no avail, he added.
TACT Coimbatore district president J James said, “This is a serious situation. Many MSMEs are shutting down operations as they were unable to run the units.” “Due to the hike, we are paying 40% additional electricity charges. Also, peak hour charges are adding to the financial stress,” he said.
Before the hike, Rs 35 per kilowatt was charged for electricity usage up to 112 kilowatts. After the revision, Rs 75 per kilowatt has been charged for less than 50 kilowatts of electricity consumption, while Rs 150 per kilowatt has been charged for 50 and up to 112 kilowatts, the district president said. As far as peak hour charges are concerned, the MSMEs are paying 15% more for the usage of electricity, he added.
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