- विज्ञापन -
Shimla: In view of the protest by industrialists associated with the steel industry, the Himachal government has postponed the milk and environment cess on electricity bills of industries till March 31. Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu has given instructions to the Electricity Board for this. On the demand of industrialists for subsidy in electricity bills, the CM has also instructed the board to explore the possibilities of restoring the subsidy of 40 to 50 paise per unit.
In protest against the non-availability of subsidies on electricity bills and cess, the industrialists of BBN had announced to close the steel industry from February 25. After the assurance of the Chief Minister, now the Steel Industry Association has withdrawn its decision to close the industry. Late Saturday evening, the representatives of the association, led by Industry Minister Harshvardhan Chauhan, met the Chief Minister in the Secretariat regarding their demands.
Association President Meghraj Garg and Vice President Surendra Jain said that apart from postponing the milk and environment cess till March 31, the CM has instructed to explore the possibilities of restoring the subsidy of 40 to 50 paise per unit. Let us tell you that the state government had stopped the one rupee per unit subsidy given to industries from October 1 and imposed 10 paise on milk and 10 paise on environment cess. The steel industry consumes the most electricity in the state.
Meghraj Garg said that electricity rates have increased by 1.20 paise per unit from October 1, due to which electricity in Himachal has become more expensive than Punjab and Haryana. The Chief Minister has assured to give exemption in paying pending bills in installments.
The Steel Industry Association has informed the CM about the problems. The CM has directed the Electricity Board to explore the possibility of restoring 40 to 50 paise per unit subsidy on electricity for industries. A decision will be taken on this issue by next week to provide relief to industrial houses.
