Lucknow, Jun 19 (KNN) Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has welcomed the Uttar Pradesh government's decision to waive off power fixed charge for the month of July.

The industry body had put up the demand before the Chief Minister Yogi Adtiyanath during a meeting via video conferencing.

''IIA is happy to note that the Chief Minister and Energy Minister have decided to waive off one month fixed/demand charge from the industries of the state by considering the demand of the IIA, this will certainly give some financial relief to the industries,'' said IIA on Thursday.

''IIA welcomes this government decision and also expresses its sincere thanks,'' IIA added.

However, Energy Minister, Shrikant Sharma clarified that those who do not clear all the pending bills would not be able to avail the concession which aims to provide relief to industries as they resume operations with the lifting lockdown.

Due to COVID-19 epidemic, maximum industries of the state were shut down for 2.5 months in the lockdown period. Even today, they are not able to operate their Industries in full capacity, said IIA.

IIA said that this exemption was requested by them for the entire period to industries which had been shut down for 2.5 months, because the liquidity with the industries had completely eroded during this period.

''Even today, this situation of liquidity remains fragile as the production capacity in Industries is being utilised to the extent of 25 to 30 % only,'' IIA avowed.

Therefore, IIA expects some more relief from the government in electricity bills of the industries, it said.