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Traders Express Ire over Power Holidays

  • Several industrialists, including small scale unit holders expressed concern over increasing power holidays to industrial sector. They warned that if the same situation continues, they will be left with no alternative except to close their units.The industrialists said if the industries faced closure, over 70,000 people working in the industries in Autonagar here directly and indirectly, would be deprived of livelihood. In a round-table meeting organised by CPM in the Indu-strial Estate manufacturing association hall at Aut-onagar here on Saturday, they decided to organise a protest rally on March 8 demanding the government to save industrial sector in the district.

  • Speaking on the occasion, small scale industries federation president Mr D.V.K. Rama Rao said that private companies are using natural gas available in Andhra Pradesh and utilising it for industrial purpose of other states depriving a right share to the state. He said that the private companies are selling power to other states.The federation leader said that major companies are depending on small scale units for ancillary products and if the production is affected with power holidays, the industries would face closer throwing thousands of people out of employment.

  • Andhra Chamber of Commerce general secretary Mr Chukkapalli Ramakrishna Prasad said lack of prior planning in power generation led to the present crisis.Auto industrial cluster chairman Mr V. Rajendra Prasad said that the government is planning to increase power tariff and in advance it declared power holiday to create crisis in the sector.Autonagar Technicians Association president Mr G. Nageswara Rao expre-ssed ire over repeated power cuts every year. Industrialist Mr Malineni Narayana Prasad said the government has no planning in power generation. The government has been giving subsidies to major industries that are selling products at higher costs.Autonagar Cooperative Stores chairman Mr Y. Subba Rao said that if the industries were closed there would be no business for the traders. Some industrialists suggested more power cut in domestic and commercial sector.

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