The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector has flagged frequent power outages as an area of concern and hoped the Budget for 2015-16 would address the issue. More specifically, the Pondicherry Chamber of Industries hoped that the Budget would include an allocation for installing a 25-W transformer in the Mettupalayam Industrial Estate, which houses about 300 MSME units and employees nearly 10,000 persons directly and another 15,000 persons indirectly.
The Chamber president S. Kanagasabapathy and secretary Thirumal have, in a memorandum to Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, pushed the case for stepping up power supply to the Mettupalayam estate in tune with the increase in the number of MSME units .
According to the memorandum, every year through the months of April to August load shedding has forced units to shut down for a span of ten days.
The Chamber has sought upgrading the existing 16MW transformer with a 25 MW version to redress the uncertain power situation.
It also envisaged a more pro-active role for the Pondicherry Industrial Promotion, Development and Investment Corporation (PIPDIC) in the rehabilitation of units in Mettupalayam, Sedarate, Thirubuvanai and Thattanchavadi estates.
