The Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has called the statewide strike on June 22, against an abnormal increase in electricity charges. All the trade and industry bodies have been asked to close their establishment in the Karnataka Bandh call today, according to ANI reports.
In an official statement, KCCI said, “We request all the Trade and Industry to close their establishment on 22 June. This is in protest of abnormal price hike in the Electricity charges by ESCOM’s.”
“For the last eight days, we have made attempts to convey the seriousness of the impact of the hike in electricity charges. However, no solution is forthcoming from the Officials or government representatives,” it said.
“To draw the attention of the government, we are calling for this Bandh. We wish to find a solution and get a reduction in the electricity charges. We hope that the government will respond to our request,” the statement read.
District Chambers of Gadag, Bijapur, Rancbennur, Raichur, Talikoti, Vijaynagar, Mysore, Davangere, Koppal, Bagalkoti, Dharwad, Sirsi, Karwar, Bidar, Shivamoga, Kolar, Mandya, Chickmangalore, Yadgir, Chitradurga, KalyanKamataka, Haveri, Hassan, Bellary, and other Industry Associations have agreed to join the agitation.
On Wednesday, Karnataka Power Minister KJ George that over two crore people in the state can avail of free electricity under the Gruha Jyothi scheme under which all households that use below 200 units of power every month will get electricity free of cost, ANI reported.
He said that consumers who use more than the allotted units have to pay for the extra units used along with the 9% of tax included in it.
“If average power consumption plus 10% is less than 200 units, it will be subsidized. Anything over and above that will have to be paid. Consumers who use more than the allotted units, have to pay for the extra units used. 9% of tax will be included in it,” George said.
“Of the 2.16 lakh crore households with electricity connection, 2.14 lakh crore will benefit from the scheme. It can be their own house or rented house. They need to have a voter ID and should enroll through the Seva Sindhu portal of the State Government”, he added.
(With ANI inputs)
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Updated: 22 Jun 2023, 08:37 AM IST