Bengaluru, June 1 (KNN) Disturbed with the recent power tariff hike, the Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KASSIA) has urged the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) and the government to provide a separate tariff category to the micro and small industries.

In a statement, President of KASSIA, Basavaraj S. Javali said “KASSIA is quite perturbed by the latest hike in power tariffs effected by the KERC on industries, particularly SMEs. The increase in case of SMEs ranges from 15-20 Ps.”

The SMEs are already in the grip of severe demand recession and any hike at this stage will only add to the problems of SMEs, he added.

KASSIA has made a strong appeal to the KERC that the small scale industries are not in a position to sustain any hike in tariffs in view of the global competition and also competition within the country from the neighboring States.

“We hope the KERC and the Government will heed our request and take some positive steps in mitigating the negative impact of the tariff hike”, Javali added.