Power tariff hike to have adverse effect on agri sector: Goa industry body

The power tariff hike order by Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) in Goa would have an adverse effect on the agriculture sector, a state industry body has said.

"Though there is no hike for domestic consumers and relief to some categories of commercial or industrial consumers, the agriculture consumers have been re-classified and there has been a substantial hike," Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) said in a statement issued here.

The GCCI through its sub-committees on agriculture and food processing works closely with farmers in the state.

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GCCI said, when Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar apprised of the proposed tariff plan on March 2, our sub-committee members had expressed dissatisfaction over the move and were of the view that such an increase in energy tariff would be counterproductive to the efforts of the government to promote agriculture activity in its full spectrum in the Goa.

"We are indeed appreciative of the efforts of the government to promote the varied forms of agriculture with a focus on self employment and self sufficiency in the farming sector. We sincerely hope and request the Chief Minister to intervene and prevent this unreasonable hike," the GCCI said.

The feedback from those involved in the varied agricultural activities allied to the traditional agriculture is that the steep hike in the electricity charges as proposed by electricity department and approved by the JERC is not in the interest of agriculture in Goa, the industry body said.

"...Unreasonable hike in charges for electricity which is in the region of 75% on the fixed charges/per HP/month and about 25% on the energy charges is bound to have a negative impact," it said.

"Besides, it will also put a burden on most of the agriculturists of our state as they will now have to bifurcate their existing power connections, spend on taking a second connection to comply with the confused classification of 'Agri (A)' and 'Agri (B)' for the purpose of the new tariff," the GCCI said.