Industries and commercial establishments across Tamil Nadu, except in Chennai, will down their shutters on Wednesday demanding “ equitable power supply” across the State.
At a press meet held in the city on Monday, members of the Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Madurai District Small and Tiny Industries Association (MADITSSIA) and various trade bodies , insisted that the State should distribute power equitably to all industries.
They also urged the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) to withdraw its petition to the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) seeking an increase in the duration of power cut in places other than Chennai.
“Chennai consumes 2500 mw of the available 7500 mw of power every day, whereas Madurai, Ramanathapuram, Theni, Dindigul and Sivagangai districts put together require 1300 mw of power every day. The State should ensure that all the districts get equitable power, or else small and medium scale industries will have to close down”, said V. S. Manimaran, president of MADITSSIA.
“A large number of industrial units in Madurai and Coimbatore have cut down at least one or two of their working shifts due to the power crisis. There is no level playing field when industries in Chennai do not bear the brunt of power cut”, said S. Rethinavelu, senior president of Tamil Nadu Chamber .
He urged the State to distribute power based on a quota system.
“All industrial units should be beneficiaries of power based on a quota system. When there is a need for power exceeding the amount under the quota, the industries should bear the additional cost involved”, Mr. Rethinavelu said.
According to N. Jegatheesan, president of TN Chamber, plastic and rubber industries in Madurai and other districts are greatly affected by the power cuts. If TNERC agrees to TANGEDCO’s request all cities, except Chennai, will face a worsening power shortage, he said.
The Tamil Nadu Electricity Consumer’s Council had called for the bandh last December.
