TN MSMEs to halt operations on April 20 as protest against fixed power charge hike

Trichy, Apr 12 (KNN) Tamil Nadu Small and Tiny Industries Association (TANSTIA) has urged all the MSMEs across the state to suspend operations on April 20 for a day as a mark of protest against the hike in fixed electricity charge for the manufacturing units, reported TOI.

The association informed on Tuesday that they will approach the authorities seeking rollback on the hike.

During its state executive committee meeting, K Mariappan, president of TANSTIA said that about 60 lakh units will shut operations on April 20.

“The entrepreneurs will not pay the electricity charge to Tangedco from April 2023,” he said.

The fixed electricity charge for MSMEs from 35 per KW per month to 550.

Mariappan noted that a section of MSMEs engaged in fisheries and food processing sectors where the production is seasonal will be hugely impacted by the hike in fixed electricity charges.

“Even if we are willing to surrender a portion of our electricity load, entrepreneurs were told to pay around 5 lakh as compensation to the electricity board,” he said.  (KNN Bureau)