The Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) called for a bandh in protest of the recent power tariff hike, and it was met with a good response from the state. Owners of small and medium industries closed down their establishments in support of the protest call. Industrial bodies and entrepreneurs in the district headquarters and Bengaluru also staged protests against the government. The bandh had a significant impact in Hubballi, where protests were also held. In Shivamogga and Ballary, protesters submitted memorandums to the district commissioners after taking out protest marches.
Srinivas Rao, the President of Ballary District Chamber of Commerce and Industry, reiterated that the increased power tariff not only affects the business class but also the common man and industries alike. Rao stated that the government officials did not respond despite attempts to explain the seriousness of the matter, and the industries have suffered losses due to the power tariff hike.
Following the bandh, Minister for Small-Scale Industries and Public Enterprises, Sharanabasappa Darshanapur, announced that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will hold a meeting on this issue with small and medium industrialists on Friday. He also said that the meeting will be attended by industrialists, including representatives from the Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (KASSIA) and Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FKCCI). The minister expressed confidence that the industrialists would be satisfied after the meeting and that the government would find a solution to save the industries.
The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) had revised the power tariff on May 12, and according to the KERC order, power tariff has been revised to an average of 70 paise per unit for all household connections, with the order given retrospective effect from April 2023 consumption. Due to the revision of the tariff, an enhanced average 70 paise per unit would be collected from June billing. KERC also ordered fixation of tariff in two slabs, with the revised energy charge being Rs 4.75 per unit for the first 100 units, and Rs 7 per unit for consumption over 100 units. KERC also revised the fixed charges, with Rs 110 being the fixed charge for 1 to 50 KW sanctioned load and Rs 210 for above 50 KW sanctioned load.
The protest calls and bandh are in response to the revised power tariffs that affect every household and industry in the state. Amidst these protests, the government has assured industrialists and the public that they are taking necessary action to address the concerns raised.
