Industrial associations protest power cut

Coimbatore, Oct 22 (UNI) As many as 33 Industrial Associations and Trade Unions, under the aegis of Coimbatore District Small Scale Industries Association (CODISSIA), today downed shutters to protest the 'unannounced power cuts in the State.' Observing a one-day strike, thousands of association members took out a procession from VKK Menon Road to Shivananda Colony this morning.

Talking to newspersons here, CODISSIA Secretary Kannan said the strike was to force the government to come out with a white paper on the power scenario in the State .

He said the industries were already facing lots of hardships due to various factors and power cuts had added to their misery putting them in a tight spot.

He said the industries would be doomed if concrete steps in this regard are not taken by the government.

Mr Kannan said their main demands include TNEB should treat both the HT and LT consumers on par as far as power distribution is concerned and a monitoring committee comprising TNEB officials and industrial association members be set up to oversee whether the power cuts were being implemented in a proper manner or not.

The power shortage of 2,000 MW in the State could be adjusted if the captive power generation to the extent of 3,000 MW in private sector is used in the right perspective with government support, he added.

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