Industry Welcomes Relief Measures By UP Government on Fixed Electricity Charge for Industries of Uttar Pradesh.

Due to COVID-19 epidemic, maximum industries of the state were shut down for 2.5 months in the lockdown period. Even today, they are not able to operate their Industries in full capacity. In view of this,  IIA had been demanding from the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Hon’ble Energy Minister and Chairman Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd. since 27 March 2020 for not to charge fixed / demand charges of electricity from the industries which were closed due to the lockdown. In this regard, last request letters were submitted by IIA on 15 June 2020 to Hon’ble Chief Minister, Hon’ble Energy Minister and Chairman Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited.

Also in a video conference with Hon’ble Chief Minister held on16 June 2020, IIA had requested to resolve this problem and waive off the fixed / demand charges for lockdown period.

"IIA is happy to note that the Hon'ble Chief Minister and Hon'ble Energy Minister have decided to waive off one month fixed / demand charge from the Industries of the state by considering the demand of the IIA, this will certainly give some financial relief to the industries. IIA welcomes this Government decision and also expresses its sincere thanks," says Manmohan Aggarwal, General Secretary of IIA.

However, this exemption was requested by the IIA to be given for the entire period to industries which had been shut down for 2.5 months, because the liquidity with the industries had completely eroded during this period. Even today, this situation of liquidity remains fragile as the production capacity in Industries is being utilised to the extent of 25 to 30 % only. Therefore, IIA expects some more relief from the government in electricity bills of the industries