The Federation of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FTAPCCI) has voiced concern at the quantum of increase the Telangana Pollution Control Board has effected in the Consent for Establishment and Consent for Operation fee levied on industrial units.
Stating that the issue was also taken up with the Minister and Secretary concerned, following the board decision, a release from the Federation said instead of a five-fold increase, the government seemed to be thinking of a three-fold increase that still would be high.
Federation president Gowra Srinivas appealed to the government that, keeping in view the large number of MSMEs in Telangana, the “fee be increased by only one time.”
The release said post the Telangana State Pollution Control Board announcing the increase, FTAPCCI representatives met Minister for Environment, Forest, Science and Technology Jogu Ramanna and Special Chief Secretary Ajay Misra and submitted representations seeking reversal of the increase in CFE/CFO fees. It was pointed out by FTAPCCI that the cost of doing business in Telangana was already high and the increase in CFE/CFO fee would further push up the cost, the release said.
Taking note of the concerns, the board had sent proposals to the State Government regarding a reduction in the fee. “But it has been learnt that the government [is contemplating] increasing the fee by three times, which is still a burden on MSME sector,” the release said.
