Nashik Inc seeks uniform power tariff

Nashik: Opposing the Maharashtra government's plan to provide 30% concession in electricity charges to industries in Marathwada and Vidarbha regions, Nashik-based industries have sought uniform industrial power tariff across the state.
The industries have expressed fear that the proposed concession only to industries from these two regions will not affect the growth of Nashik's industries, but also the industrial growth of Thane, Pune, Jalgaon and Kolhapur among others places.
Moreover, they were also worried over the fact that the existing industries might move out of Nashik. The Nashik Industries & Manufacturers' Association (NIMA) has decided to hold a meeting with all the MLAs of Nashik in a day or two. The association has also decided to approach chief minister Devendra Fadanvis and state industries minister Subhash Desai in this regard.
Meanwhile, a delegation of steel industries in the district met NIMA office-bearers and urged them to take up the issue with the state government and avoid concession in power tariff to select regions, which will affect their competitiveness.
Sanjiv Narang, president of NIMA, said, "The electricity charges for industries in Maharashtra are already higher than other states. At this juncture, the state government's plan to give 30% concession in power tariff to industries in Vidarbha and Marathwada will affect the growth of the existing industries in rest of Maharashtra. This will not only affect industrial growth of the existing industries, but prevent new industries from coming to Nashik."
"We have called a meeting of MLAs from the district shortly. We are also involving industries from Maharashtra, including Pune, Thane and Kolhapur among other cities to fight against the state government's move. We are not against concession to Vidarbha and Marathwada, but want uniform power tariff for industries across the state, or else the existing industries will start moving out of Nashik," he added.
Mangesh Patnankar, secretary of NIMA, said, "Around 60% of the total industries, including steel, plating, engineering, plastic, cooling and chilling require power at large. The power tariff for industries in other states is cheaper than Maharashtra. It is Rs 6.35 per unit in Gujarat, Rs 4.55 per unit in Silvasa, Rs 6.6 in Andhra Pradesh, Rs 6.9 in Madhya Pradesh and Rs 5.9 per unit in Chhatisgarh. The government needs to set industrial power tariff in a uniform manner. Giving concession to select regions will affect those in the remaining regions of the state."
Ajay Baheti of Bhagwati Steel Cast, said, "The government's proposal will badly affect rest of the industries. It will be difficult to compete with industries from these regions (Vidarbha and Marathwada) as they will get power cheaper by Rs 1.5 per unit at least."
"Besides, it is also possible that some industries will move out from here. Hence, the government should not take such a decision that might affect the growth of industries in rest of the state," he added.