Jamshedpur: SCCI seeks uniform power tariff for Jharkhand industries

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, April 13: Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has demanded electricity for Kolhan based industrial units on rates at par with the power tariff fixed for industries in other districts of the state.

SCCI president Vijay Anand Moonka has requested Jharkhand Chief Secretary Sukhdev Singh to ensure that the various industries in Kolhan region get electricity at the rate of Rs 3.60 per unit instead of the current rate of Rs 5.60 per unit.

“In other districts like Bokaro, Ramgarh, Mahagama, Gola and Giridih, Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) supplies electricity to industries while in Kolhan, JVNL supplies electricity to industries. A difference of Rs 2 per unit exists between Kolhan and the said districts. JVNL’s power tariff is 40 per cent more than that of DVC. As a result, the industries of Kolhan are lagging behind as electricity is an important raw material for them. Several industries here have shut down as they are unable to bear the tough competition,” said Moonka.

Moonka said JVNL supplies power to the industries in Adityapur Industrial Area, Chandil, Ghatsila, Mosabani, Dhalbhumgarh, Gamharia, Kandra, Chakulia and Chakradharpur. Here DVC power supply is not available, he said.

As a result of high power tariff and resulting closure of industries, unemployment and migration of workers is taking place at an increasing rate, the SCCI president observed while stressing the demand for uniform power tariff across Jharkhand.