The Micro, Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (MSMEs) in Coimbatore district have appealed to the Tamil Nadu government to withdraw the increase in power tariff and fixed charges, and ensure uninterrupted power supply for the industries.
The Federation of Coimbatore Industrial Associations’ coordinator, J. James, said the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) should withdraw the hike in fixed charges implemented for the MSMEs for the last four years.
According to the Coimbatore Tiruppur District Micro and Cottage Entrepreneurs’ Association president, C. Sivakumar, for the last few days, rural and urban areas in Coimbatore district are facing frequent power cuts. It takes time to restore the supply and sometimes there is no supply for almost the whole night.
The TNPDCL is said to be facing shortage of workers. Though the power cost, the peak hour charges and fixed charges have been hiked in the last five years, the TNPDCL has not been able to employ adequate number of workers. The current power situation in the State threatens the sustainability of industrial operations. Hence, the new government that has assumed office in the State should give priority to the power issue and resolve it, he said.
