MSMEs in Coimbatore petition former Minister S.P. Velumani, AIADMK MLAs for withdrawal of power tariff hike
The Hindu
Federation of Power Consumers of Tamil Nadu and Federation of Coimbatore Industrial Associations have petitioned Thondamuthur MLA S.P. Velumani to withdraw power tariff hike, citing its crippling effect on MSMEs. They requested withdrawal of 430% fixed charges, peak hour charges, and solar charges of Rs 1.53/unit, and tariff revision review to exempt industries from hike for next two yrs.
The Federation of Power Consumers of Tamil Nadu, the Federation of Coimbatore Industrial Associations and the Recycled Textiles Federation have petitioned former Minister and Thondamuthur MLA S.P. Velumani as well as several AIADMK MLAs, for a withdrawal of the hike in the power tariff.
In a petition, they said that MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) in T.N. provide employment to over 10 lakh workers. However, the industries are struggling due to a raw material price hike, GST drawbacks and are still finding it difficult to get by after the Covid-19 pandemic. At this juncture, the recent power tariff hike has crippled the MSMEs, they said.
The Federations wanted the 430 per cent fixed charges to be withdrawn, and also wanted the withdrawal of the peak hour charges. They also asked for a rollback of solar charges, of ₹1.53 per unit. They also wanted the tariff revision proposal to be reviewed, in order to exempt industries from power tariff hikes for at least the next two years.
Pakistan coach Gary Kirsten stated that “not so great decision making” contributed to his side’s defeat to India in the Group-A T20 World Cup clash here on Sunday. The batting unit came apart in the chase, after being well placed at 72 for two. With 48 runs needed from eight overs, Pakistan found a way to panic and lose. “Maybe not so great decision making,” Kirsten said at the post-match press conference, when asked to explain the loss.