Trade bodies urge government to ease power situation

Various industry associations on Wednesday urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to take measures to ensure efficient power supply to industries in the State.

Representatives of the associations, including the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) and the Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (Kassia), met the chief minister at Vidhana Soudha and submitted their memorandum for the State budget 2016-17. Siddaramaiah, who also holds the Finance portfolio, has been holding pre-budget meetings.

The Kassia, in its memorandum, said that erratic power supply in rural areas had hit industries hard. The government should ensure uninterrupted power supply power to industries through a separate feeder line. The FKCCI suggested that the government to initiate the demand side management measures to bring in efficiency in power supply.

FKCCI president Tallam R Dwarakanath said the government should ensure early commissioning of 350 Mega Watt combined cycle gas power plant at Yelahanka, Bengaluru, to augment power supply. He also urged the chief minister to give exemption from payment of electricity tax of 10 paise per unit for captive consumption above 250 kVA and 5 paise per unit for auxiliary consumption above 50 kWh.

Kassia president V K Dikshit urged the chief minister to provide better infrastructure like good roads, air connectivity and ports. Besides, basic amenities at all industrial areas should be upgraded. He also urged Siddaramaiah to reduce VAT rate on defence sector procurement. 

Later, speaking to reporters, Siddaramaiah said the industry associations have asked for number of tax exemptions and that he will take an appropriate decision at the time of drafting the budget document.