CM reaches out, powerloom strike called off

CHENNAI/TIRUPUR: Following the demands of powerloom weavers who have been on strike, the Chief Minister on Thursday reduced their power tariff which would cause an additional expenditure of Rs 59.69 crore to the State exchequer.  This reduction is in addition to the Rs 153.15 crore concessions announced earlier.  In total, the State government would pay Rs 212.84 crore as subsidy to the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board.Announcing this in the State Assembly, the CM said as many as 24,171 powerloom weavers consuming 501 units to 1000 units for two months would have to pay Rs 2 per unit instead of Rs 4. The 9,297 powerloom weavers who consume 1,001 to 1,500 units every two months would pay Rs 3 per unit instead of Rs 4. As many as 28,056 powerloom weavers who consume above 1,500 units per two months would continue to get Rs 1 as subsidy.  They can also avail of the concessions in tariff for up to 500 units and for the slab 501 units to 1,000 units.  Apart from the above, the standard fee of Rs 50 per kv would be reduced to Rs 30. Powerloom job working units in Tirupur and Coimbatore districts called off the indefinite strike on Thursday following the announcement  in the Assembly. The Joint Committee of Tirupur and Coimbatore districts Power Loom Job Working Units Associations had begun the indefinite strike from on May 3. They said that the powerloom sector could not affordable to pay the tariff hike from 110 to 300 per cent. “The power looms will start functioning from Friday,” said Velusamy,  member of the Joint Committee and president of Mangalam Job Working Power Loom Unit Owners Association.