Summary:
Industry bodies Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), and Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (MCCIA) have expressed serious concerns over higher power tariff for industries. In Maharashtra, tariffs range between Rs 7.50 to Rs 8 per unit, against Rs 5.50 to 6 per unit in Gujarat, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh. The bodies argued during their representation to the visiting 15th Finance Commission headed by former revenue secretary NK Singh, that state needs to be provided substantial relief to deal with rising competition. MCCIA president Santosh Mandlecha told DNA, "The incentives provided by the state government should augment employment generation if the industry is labour intensive. There is a need to focus on promoting MSMEs in manufacturing the sector to create more jobs.".