The industrial units in different parts of Erode district stopped production on Thursday in protest against the Central and State governments for their failure to sort out the ongoing power crisis in Tamil Nadu.
The Erode District Small Industries Association (EEDISSIA) and various other industrial bodies called for the day-long shutdown as the announced and unannounced power cuts had crippled the industries, particularly the micro, small and medium scale units in the State.
A number of small industries were on the verge of closure due to the power crisis. Apart from the loss in the productivity, the industrial units were also incurring huge loss in terms of wastage in raw materials and increasing labour cost, EEDISSIA president R. Subramanian pointed out.
The industrial associations were demanding the government to implement a uniform load shedding schedule for all the industries including the multinational companies across the State including Chennai.
The associations also wanted the government to ensure that there were no unannounced power cuts. Steps should be initiated to implement more power generation projects, besides ensuring proper maintenance to the electricity transmission network, the associations demanded.
The State Government should urge the Centre to provide 75 per cent of the power generated in the plants at Neyveli, Kalpakkam and Koodankulam to Tamil Nadu. Besides, efforts should be made to strengthen the Southern Power Grid that would help Tamil Nadu get more electricity from other States, the associations said.
The associations also suggested the government to provide more subsidy for energy efficient CFL and LED lights and solar-powered equipment.
Members of various associations met Collector C. Kamaraj and submitted a document comprising their demands and suggestions.
