Hyderabad, Apr 8 (KNN) Nearly seven lakh micro, small and medium enterprises (SME) are expected to join the bandh called by  Telangana Industries Federation (TIF) tomorrow to protest  against additional fuel surcharge, increase in power tariff and severe power cuts that have been affecting the sector.

“In this bandh all 28 organisations of industrialists in the state and 7 lakh of micro, small and medium enterprises are going to participate.  All the industrial units will remain closed tomorrow.  Even today Cherlapally Industries Association organised mass fasts to oppose the tariff hike,” said Federation of Medium Enterprises, President, AP Reddy
 
Justifying the call for bandh, TIF president K Sudhir Reddy said that the Andhra Pradesh government was obstructing the development of the SMEs by imposing unnecessary restrictions on them.  The government, he added, should treat them as a priority sector.


TIF is an association of industrialists/entrepreneurs operating in the 10 Telanagana districts of Andhra Pradesh.

Demanding for the reduction in the increased power tariff, Reddy said, “Penalties to the tune of crores are being imposed on industries on the pretext of violation of Restriction and Control (R&C) measures.   Power supply has been stopped to many SME units for non-payment of penalties.  The government has to reduce the increased power tariff for 2013-14 immediately.”

Further, TIF also demanded uninterrupted power supply to the SME sector for the growth of the industry and pointed out that there was a need to separate property tax structure for industries.
 
Meanwhile, political parties have also jumped into the fray supporting the protest.
 
Thus far, “10 political parties have given bandh call supporting us.  It will be supported by Telugu Desam Party, Bharatiya Janata Party and 28 industrial bodies,” said Federation of Andhra Pradesh Small Industries Association, President, K Nageshwar Rao.  (KNN)
 
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