Chennai, Nov 25 (KNN) Protesting against unreasonable increase in power tariff in Tamil Nadu, Chennai based MSME associations will be observing a hunger strike on November 25, 2022. 

They will be joined by associations from the adjoining districts of Chennai, reported The Hindu Business Line. 

The agitation is against the surge in fixed charges that have been increased manifold which must be paid whether the unit is shut or operational. 

During the lean period this increase will certainly hit MSME units which will lead to the closure of several units permanently. 

Chennai MSME Federation said that this could leave several hundreds of people jobless. 

The Federation pointed out that while MSMEs are not against the increase in energy charges – up from Rs 6.50 per unit to Rs 7.50 per unit- the hike in fixed charges (demand charges) would hit the units hard. 

For less than 50 kW, fixed changes have been increased from Rs 35 to 75 per month, while the rate for 50 kW to 112 kW has been increased from Rs 35 to Rs 110 per month. For 112 kW to 150 kW, it has gone up from Rs 35 to Rs 550 per month. (KNN Bureau)