<p>The recent increase in power tariff has dismayed industrialists, hoteliers, and other power-intensive sectors since higher tariff will shoot up operational costs.</p>.<p>Several industrialists have fiercely opposed the 70 paise per unit hike by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) last week and plan to make a representation to the new government.</p>.<p>The hike, the highest in a decade, may burden the industries by 30 per cent and affect production costs.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/city/top-bengaluru-stories/power-cuts-continue-despite-bescoms-assurance-in-bengaluru-1211574.html" target="_blank">Power cuts continue despite Bescom's assurance in Bengaluru</a></strong></p>.<p>“The fabrication industries and foundries heavily depend on electricity supply. The steep increase will impact production costs, which, in turn, will reflect on the commodity prices,” said Suresh N Sagar, honorary secretary of the polymer manufacturers association and a member of the Machohalli Industrialists Association.</p>.<p>B V Gopal Reddy, president of the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI), believed that this is not the right time for a price revision since the industries are just recovering from the pandemic-induced losses.</p>.<p>“The costs are going to increase significantly owing to the rise in power tariff. Industries are marking a slow recovery and the rise in charges will affect the production,” Reddy said, adding that they are waiting for the formation of the new government to air their views.</p>.<p>“We are hopeful that the new government will consider our requests. Earlier, there have been instances when we opposed such abnormal rises and the government slashed down the hike,” he said.</p>.<p>Suresh said increased production costs could hurt exports and sales.</p>.<p>“For instance, we supply to many other states in the country and we will have to offer them reasonable prices. The export market is more competitive.</p>.<p>“The increase in prices could dent our chances at exporting more,” he said.</p>.<p>The tariff hike has also left hoteliers concerned. “The electricity charges of even a small hotel go up to Rs 50,000 and even a 10% increase will be a burden,” said P C Rao, president of the Bruhat Bengaluru Hoteliers Association (BBHA).</p>.<p>Industrialists said in unison that energy supply companies must provide quality power. An uninterrupted power supply is still a project in the pipeline for many industries, they said.</p>.<p>“Such unexpected interruptions cause wastage since the machines will be operating at full capacity. Escoms need to focus on these issues,” Suresh said.</p>
<p>The recent increase in power tariff has dismayed industrialists, hoteliers, and other power-intensive sectors since higher tariff will shoot up operational costs.</p>.<p>Several industrialists have fiercely opposed the 70 paise per unit hike by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) last week and plan to make a representation to the new government.</p>.<p>The hike, the highest in a decade, may burden the industries by 30 per cent and affect production costs.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/city/top-bengaluru-stories/power-cuts-continue-despite-bescoms-assurance-in-bengaluru-1211574.html" target="_blank">Power cuts continue despite Bescom's assurance in Bengaluru</a></strong></p>.<p>“The fabrication industries and foundries heavily depend on electricity supply. The steep increase will impact production costs, which, in turn, will reflect on the commodity prices,” said Suresh N Sagar, honorary secretary of the polymer manufacturers association and a member of the Machohalli Industrialists Association.</p>.<p>B V Gopal Reddy, president of the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI), believed that this is not the right time for a price revision since the industries are just recovering from the pandemic-induced losses.</p>.<p>“The costs are going to increase significantly owing to the rise in power tariff. Industries are marking a slow recovery and the rise in charges will affect the production,” Reddy said, adding that they are waiting for the formation of the new government to air their views.</p>.<p>“We are hopeful that the new government will consider our requests. Earlier, there have been instances when we opposed such abnormal rises and the government slashed down the hike,” he said.</p>.<p>Suresh said increased production costs could hurt exports and sales.</p>.<p>“For instance, we supply to many other states in the country and we will have to offer them reasonable prices. The export market is more competitive.</p>.<p>“The increase in prices could dent our chances at exporting more,” he said.</p>.<p>The tariff hike has also left hoteliers concerned. “The electricity charges of even a small hotel go up to Rs 50,000 and even a 10% increase will be a burden,” said P C Rao, president of the Bruhat Bengaluru Hoteliers Association (BBHA).</p>.<p>Industrialists said in unison that energy supply companies must provide quality power. An uninterrupted power supply is still a project in the pipeline for many industries, they said.</p>.<p>“Such unexpected interruptions cause wastage since the machines will be operating at full capacity. Escoms need to focus on these issues,” Suresh said.</p>