The Tamil Nadu Industrial Electricity Consumers' Federation (TNIECF) organized a press conference on Monday in Coimbatore to announce its next move to get government's nod to cancel the hiked electricity tariffs.
The press conference was addressed by Rajappa, Trichy MSME Entrepreneurs Association, Jayabal, Recycle Textiles Federation, Coimbatore, Surendar, Suresh from Federation of Coimbatore Industrial Associations, Coimbatore, Nataraj, President COIMBATORE SIDCO INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURER WELFARE ASSOCIATION Muthu Rathinam, Tiruppur Exporters And Manufacturers Association, Raja Manikkam, Federation of All Trade and Industry Associations, Erode and Govinda Raj, President, SisWa, Palladam.
They said that in November 2023, the Tamil Nadu government issued an order (GO) waiving peak-hour electricity consumption charges for the MSME sector until installation of ToD meters. "We want the government to permanently cancel the peak hour charges for our sector," they said.
"The State Government had earlier reduced the rooftop solar network charges for all MSMEs in the state by 50% from Rs.1.53 to 76 paise. We request it to slash this 76 paise too," TNIECF said.
"With regards to demand charges, it was Rs. 35 for a kW consumption unit earlier but it was revised to Rs. 153. We want the government to reverse this to the old tariff," they said.
Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission has allowed the EB to increase the tariffs up to 6% every year. Keeping in mind of the present situation of the industry, the government should cancel this plan.
"We expect the Tamil Nadu Government to make positive announcements with regards to industrial electricity charges in this upcoming budget session. If not, then TNIECF will take steps that could create an impact in the upcoming Parliamentary elections," they said.
"We will be sending a letter to the Government seeking an audience with Chief Minister and other ministers next Monday in Chennai. The State Budget for 2024-25 will be announced on that day. We intend to meet the ministers on that day. We will announce our next move in Chennai, and it will create a political impact," they added.
It must be mentioned that for more than 6 months, the federation has held various peaceful demonstrations including hunger strikes and human-chain protests in key areas of Tamil Nadu, uniting hundreds and thousands of industry associations and entrepreneurs.