Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 23: Terming the proposed hike in the power tariff as last nail in the coffin of the J&K Industry, Association of Industries (AoI) Gangyal has alleged that Government has been totally ignoring the concerns of the existing industry in the Jammu and Kashmir.
A meeting of the AoI was held here today under the chairmanship of its president, Virendra Jain and attended by all office bearers including SB Abrol – senior vice president, Sandeep Ohri- vice president, Sanjay Langar- general secretary, Ajay Kumar Mahajan- secretary, Jatinder Singh- treasurer and a large number of members of the Association.
The meeting was called to discuss the recent petition filed by the Power Development Department (PDD) with the State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC), seeking a hike in power tariffs.
The members of AoI expressed deep anguish and concern over the Govt approach towards the existing industrial sector of Jammu Kashmir. The petition filed by PDD, proposing unjustified and unfair power rate hike of more than 100%, clearly reflects an alarming disregard for the survival and growth of local industry. If approved, this proposal would deal a devastating blow to the industrial ecosystem of the Union Territory and may well be the final nail in its coffin of the existing industry which is already under stress.
“We strongly urge the Govt. to immediately withdraw this petition. It is contradictory for the administration to invite new investors with the promise of affordable power tariffs while, at the same time, allowing departments like the PDD to propose such harsh increases. This move not only undermines the Government’s efforts to promote industrial development in J&K but also sends a negative signal to existing and potential investors,” Jain said.
The AoI has requested the SERC to reject the PDD’s petition in the interest of preserving and nurturing the fragile industrial sector of the J&K.
The Association of Industries requested the Manoj Sinhaji, Lieutenant Governor; Omar Abdulla, Chief Minister and Surinder Chowdhary, Deputy Chief Minister to personally intervene in the matter and issue necessary instructions to the concerned authority of PDD to withdraw hike in power tariff and come in rescue of the dying industry of Jammu & Kashmir.
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