The Andhra Pradesh Cement Manufacturers Association has expressed concern over the order of the state electricity regulatory commission imposing grid support charges on captive power plants and increasing wheeling charges on power drawn from private sources.APCMA has also opposed the move of the state government to levy electricity duty on power generated by captive power plants. KV Venkataraman, chief executive of APCMA, said the additional burden on the cement industry, because of the new charges, would be around Rs 200 crore per annum.There are around 23 major and 13 mini cement units operating in Andhra Pradesh with a total installed capacity of 23 million tonnes. Saying that the cement industry can ill-afford the additional burden, Venkatraman said, "Some units have already been referred to BIFR and many plants may head for closure if there is no relief from the additional burden."
