Power tariff hike: 50K industries in TN to go on strike on Sep 25

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Industries Association leaders on Friday announced that around 50,000 industries, including small-scale firms, will go on a one-day strike on September 25 against the electricity tariff revision in the state.

The protesting organisations are also demanding the state to withdraw peak hour charges and fixed charges.

In a statement, the office bearers of the striking organisations said that around three crore labourers including 1.2 crore registered employees and migrant labourers in these 50,000 units will strike work on Monday.

“While states like Maharashtra, Haryana and Gujarat are providing subsidies to industries, the Tamil Nadu government is increasing the burden on us with exorbitant electricity charges. The government neither consulted us before revising the power tariff nor sought our suggestions about the change after the rollout,” they said.

Tiruppur Exporters and Manufacturers Association (TEAMA) president, M.P. Muthurathinam said, “The garment industries are suffering due to low order volume as well as labour issues. The peak hour charges levied in two phases from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and fixed charges are crippling small industries.”

Another industrialist from Coimbatore said that the prices of HP motors, for which the city is famous, have almost doubled due to the peak charges and fixed charges as well as electricity tariff hikes.

“One-HP motor pump sold for Rs 6,000 apiece now costs Rs 11,000,” he said, adding, “Many have shut down their industries and some companies have moved to Gujarat”.

Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Coimbatore, South Indian Engineering Manufacturers Association (SIEMA), Tamil Nadu Electricity Consumers Association (TECA), and Coimbatore District Small Scale Industries Association (CODISSIA) are among the 165 industries organisations from the state that will participate in the strike.

With inputs from IANS