Pune, Oct 23: The future of the Steel industry in Maharashtra is uncertain due to heavy rates of electricity as compared to other states and the tariff should be reduced immediately, according to a business chamber.
Rajesh Agarwal, National President of Agarwal Marwadi Chamber of Commerce Industry and Education (AMCCIE), has written to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and requested him to look at the crisis of Steel Industries in the state and reduce electricity rates by Rs 5.50 per unit instead of Rs 9 presently charged from them.
Agarwal said the neighbouring states are providing electricity to industry sectors at the rate of Rs 5.50 per unit, apart from other facilities. So why is it not possible in Maharashtra which is one of the progressive states of the county,
He said considering that the steel industry provides large employment to the people and also contributes to the country’s growth by paying various taxes. Therefore, he was appealing to the government of Maharashtra to consider the industry’s demands so that the Steel industry can survive, said Agarwal in his letter, which was also marked to the Maharashtra Industry Minister.
Due to heavy electricity rates, production cost is going up, although consumers want to continue at low rates of steel which is not possible for the manufacturing industry, said Agarwal. He also requested in his letter to reduce the GST rate by 5 percent.
