Tamil Nadu offers Rs 2 per unit power subsidy for eateries switching from LPG to induction stoves

The decision came following Centre prioritising the supply of commercial LPG cylinders to hospitals and educational institutions

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government on Saturday announced a subsidy of Rs 2 per unit of electricity for restaurants, hotels and tea shops that switch to electric stoves instead of commercial LPG cylinders to run their businesses.

Chief Minister M K Stalin, who chaired a high level meeting, said the subsidy will remain in force until restrictions imposed on the availability of commercial LPG cylinders by the Centre are lifted. 

J Radhakrishnan, Additional Chief Secretary and Chairman of TANGEDCO, said the government has also decided to help Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by sanctioning loans with subsidies for purchasing electric equipment, such as electric stoves and heaters.

The bureaucrat also said as many as 60,698 factories are operating with consent from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, using fuels such as LPG, CNG, diesel, furnace oil, and firewood.

"These industries will now be allowed to temporarily switch to alternative fuels such as kerosene, RDF, HSD, and biomass instead of LPG and CNG. They don't have to apply for fresh approval from the Pollution Control Board. They just have to intimate authorities in advance," Radhakrishnan said.

He also said excess milk produced will be procured without restrictions by Aavin milk cooperative societies and farmers will be allowed to sell their vegetables and fruits without restrictions in 194 Uzhavar Sandhais (farmers' markets) across the state.

At a review meeting held on Saturday, it was decided to provide a subsidy of Rs 2 per unit for the additional electricity consumed by the hotels, tea shops and cloud kitchens using induction stoves.