Maha industry to observe bandh on Oct 25

Several industrial units in Maharashtra have decided to observe a state-wide bandh on October 25 demanding a rollback of the power tariff hike by the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL).

President of Chamber of Small Industries Association (COSIA) M R Khambete and president of Maharashtra Electricity Consumer Association Pratap Hogade told this to reporters here today. There are nearly 13,000 high tension consumers in the state that use over 27 horse power (HP), who would take part in the bandh, they said.

Representatives of various industries associations from parts of Maharashtra, including Kolhapur, Pen, Murbad, Bhiwandi, held a meeting over the issue. "The industries have been facing hardships due to the tariff hike, which was implemented from August this year. They will perish if the government does not roll back the hike," Hogade said adding that it was the consumers, who will have to ultimately bear the brunt.

They pointed out that in the neighbouring states, the power charges were much less, which has resulted in some of the industries already shifting their base there. The industries have decided not to pay the monthly power bills till a final decision was taken on the issue, they said.