Numerous Industrial bodies of Andhra Pradesh have objected power tariff raise for industrial and manufacturing divisions expressing that it would be not proper in the lack of certain incentives for them, either from the Centre or the state.
Federation of Andhra Pradesh Small Industries Associations (FAPSIA), around 6,000 units, mostly small enterprises, have become NPAs while 200,000 workers have already lost their jobs due to the ongoing power crisis. The government has allowed tariff increase without considering the ground realities in the state industrial sector, which is facing production loss of 45 per cent and employment loss of 40 per cent.
They have also showed worry that efforts are being done to load them for providing relief to domestic consumers. In a comprehensive submission to the APERC, the Federation of Andhra Pradesh Small Industries Associations(FAPSIA) told the power utilities have extended an average obtaining price of RS 6.10 from the power exchanges and open market.
“We petitioned two years back to make it Rs 5.06 per kWh. The rates have crashed in 2013 in open market and power exchanges. So, we request you to make the maximum ceiling to be fixed at or below Rs 5.06 unit” the FAPSIA said.
