GUWAHATI, Oct 8 � The State Government�s decision to snap power connection of the existing heavy industries during peak hours has not gone down well with the industry sector of the North-east.
Federation of Industries of North Eastern Region (FINER) chairman RS Joshi told The Assam Tribune that the decision was going to affect the industry sector adversely and there would be 20 to 30 per cent production loss in the State due to this.
�This is unfortunate and would send a negative signal to the rest of the country, especially at a time when the global market too is witnessing a slowdown,� Joshi said.
He further mentioned the implications of the decision would also be felt by the MSME sector as it was inter-related with the heavy industries.
�We understand the compulsions of the Power and Industries Minister but this does not seem to be the solution at all. Some long-term measure is to be taken, especially in terms of power generation. If the situation persists, we will be no more competitive as power happens to be the raw material for industries,� Joshi pointed out.
The FINER chairman said that the sooner the restriction was lifted, the better would it be for the economy of the State and the region.
�I have been hearing a lot about Assam being self-sufficient in power since the last 15 years but nothing has come up actually,� he added.
DK Sharma, secretary general, North Eastern Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NECCI) termed the Government�s decision as going against the interests of industry and called for its withdrawal in the overall interest of the State�s development.
�This is certainly not a good decision, as it stands to hit the business and industry circles hard. It will also send the wrong signal to any prospective investor,� Sharma said.
Sharma said that at a time when the power available to the industry sector was far from adequate, there could be no rationale in curtailing even that meagre power. �Industry will suffer in particular and the overall long-term impact will be on the entire development process which would be slackened further,� he added.
