Opposing the proposed hike of about 40 per cent in the power tariff for 2023-25, the industry bodies of the region on Thursday observed silent protest here in the city. The office-bearers of MIDC Industries Association (MIA) Hingna and Butibori Manufacturers Association (BMA) observed the agitation in front Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited’s office at Katol Road Square and also gave a charter of demands to the Chief Engineers of the discom. The agitators, wearing black bands on their arms, said power tariff in the State is already high as compared to adjoining states and thus there is no scope for further hike in it. “If the proposed hike is brought in, it will affect consumers cutting across the categories. The new rates are not feasible from households, commercial and even industrial category consumers,” they said.

In a memorandum submitted to the Chief Engineer Dilip Dodke, the agitators highlighted that the prevailing power tariff in the State is already very high as compared to the tariff in others states. And if the proposed rates are implemented, the increased gap in the power tariff would severely affect the industrial units in Maharashtra,” said BMA President Nitin Lonkar. He said that the power tariff hike would not only discourage new investors but it would also result in migration of existing units from Maharashtra to adjoining states. “The company should change its mind set of increasing the power tariff to compensate for its inefficient functioning,” the agitators stated in the copy of memorandum sent to Deputy Chief Minister and Energy Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

In addition, they said the MSEDCL had manipulated the power consumption figures shown in the proposal to hide its loopholes. “There have been attempts to downplay the power losses and thefts worth Rs 13,000 crore. It is nothing but corruption for which the consumers have been asked to pay an additional amount,” said the agitators.

Besides, the cost of power generation of Maharashtra State Power Generation Company is very high. “The Central Government is offering power to the State Government at the rate of Rs 3 to Rs 3.50 per unit but the cost of Mahagenco’s power is between Rs 4.50 to Rs 7.50 per unit,” they stated in the memorandum. MIA and BMA representatives said the Government should take back the proposal to hike power tariff and give respite to the consumers. Capt. C M Randhir, President of MIA; P Mohan, MIA Secretary MIA; Nilkant Jaiswal, Pradeep Khandelwal, Shashikant Kotarkar, Punit Mahajan and others were present.