J&K industry shuts down to protest power tariff hike

A state-wide shutdown was observed by industry in Jammu and Kashmir today in protest against the unprecedented power tariff hike announced by the State Electricity Regulatory Commission.

In response to the call to strike given jointly by the Federation of Industries, Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jammu and Kashmir Chamber of Industry, a one-hour shutdown was observed from 11 am to 12 noon today by all the large, medium and small industrial units in the state.

A brief protest demonstration was also observed at the main industrial centres of the state like Bari Brahmana, Gangyal, Samba, Kathua in Jammu region and SIDCO Industrial centre Rangreth, Industrial Estate Barzulla (Budgam) and Khenmoh (Khrew) in the Kashmir region.

The State Electricity Regulatory Commission recently approved a power tariff hike for all categories of consumers in the state, said Shakeel Qalander, president, Kashmir Chamber.

The industrial sector is the worst-affected. Qalander termed the hike as illogical, unprecedented and irrational and maintained that it was bound to have a crippling effect on the units in the micro or the small sector industry.

Ram Sahai, president, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jammu said local entrepreneurs had succeeded in seeking a special package of incentives from the central government owing to the turmoil in the state but due to the attitude of the state government and its policies, the local small scale industry unit holders felt marginalised.

He said due to the power tariff hike entrepreneurs could not even think of expanding their industrial work. The general public is not aware of the hidden implications of the clauses mentioned in the tariff hike document.

"The State Electricity Regulatory Commission has changed the measure tactically to confuse the consumer," Sahai maintained.