Roll back power tariff hike: Consumers

Nagpur: Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture and other power consumer organizations have demanded that state government pay a subsidy to Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co Ltd (MSEDCL) to roll back the power tariff hike effected from September, 2018. They have threatened statewide agitation unless the demand is met.
Office-bearers of the organizations will met MLAs of all parties during the budget session beginning February 25 and explain the problems being faced by industries due to the tariff hike.

A press release issued by the Chamber stated that tariff had increased by between 20% and 25% due to the recent hike. The industrial power tariff of the state was now between 25% to 40% higher than that of neighbouring states. As a result, state industries were unable to compete with their counterparts in other states and were facing closure.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and education minister Vinod Tawde had demanded in 2013 that Congress-NCP government provide subsidy to the MSEDCL to prevent a power tariff hike. The government had agreed to the demand then. Now, this government also do the same, the Chamber said.