Weavers threaten to stop paying power bills

Textile units say they will approach court if electricity rates are not reduced

The Ved Road Art Silk Laghu Udyog Association in Surat has threatened that its members will not pay electricity bills in protest against high power charges imposed by the state government.

The association vice president Divyesh Patel said, "Powerlooms in Surat are supplied electricity at the rate of Rs 5 per unit, while in Navapur, which is just 90 kms from Surat, power is charged at just Re 1 per unit. The industries cannot survive if we continue paying higher electricity charges."

"We have decided not to pay any more electricity bills until the power tariff is reduced. The electricity company will disconnect power supply to us. We are ready for it. Due to the high power tariff, local powerloom industry is dying anyway," Patel said.

Patel said the association would approach court over the issue. "Our connections will be cut when we do not pay the bills. Once this happens, we will approach court against the electricity company and the state government," said Patel.

Weavers are also unhappy over what they call the "indifferent attitude" of the government towards the powerloom industry.

"The government is talking about implementing a uniform tax structure in the entire country. The powerloom industry provides employment to lakhs of people, so it is difficult to understand why the government has not even thought of a uniform power tariff," said Patel.

Patel said, "We have made numerous representations to the government. We have met several ministers. We have agitated for weeks at a stretch, but the government has not taken any action."

Weavers have been taken into confidence before deciding not to pay electricity bills.

"Why can't Gujarat provide cheap power like Maharashtra does?" asked Patel.