Maharashtra Textile Minister halts lifting of power subsidy to powerlooms

Kohlapur, Feb 7 (KNN) The Maharashtra Textile Minister Aslam Shaikh has put a hold on the decision to stop giving power subsidy to powerlooms having mid-sized capacity.

In an effort to oppose the government’s decision, powerloom operators in the textile town of Ichalkaranji in Kolhapur District stopped paying the electricity bills.

Textile Minister Shaikh interacted with stakeholders during his visit to the town analysing the situation of the powerloom and the industry.

He informed that the process of online registration will be made easier and will be out in a month.

“We have temporarily stopped our decision to stop the power subsidy has been stayed temporarily, hence I urge the powerloom operators to pay their pending bills as per the subsidised rates,” he added.

A proposal to increase subsidy by Rs 75 paise per unit on power consumed will be tabled before the state cabinet soon, he assured the powerloom operators.

The state of Maharashtra accounts for about 65 million kg of cotton production which is 25 per cent of the country's total.

It contributes around 27 per cent of India's total exports and 10.4 per cent to the country's textile and apparels output. (KNN Bureau)