Kerala State Vyapari Vyavasayi Samiti said unscheduled power interruptions during evenings and peak business hours were causing major difficulties for traders
In a statement, Kerala State Vyapari Vyavasayi Samiti said unscheduled power interruptions during evenings and peak business hours were causing major difficulties for traders, adding that the electricity department was not giving advance notice of the restrictions. Several hotels are shutting down midway through their working hours, it said, adding that price rise continues unchecked. It said the situation is likely to worsen with the intensification of drought and summer conditions and called on chief minister V D Satheesan to convene an emergency meeting to address the crisis. The association said the protest is aimed at drawing govt’s attention to the issue and will be held under the slogan “Trade in darkness, no current and no business. Office-bearers said shops would be shut in further protest if the crisis remains unresolved.
Traders already pay high commercial electricity tariffs, and rising gas prices and freight charges have pushed the sector into what the association called an unprecedented slowdown. The statement also pointed to climate crisis and wildlife attacks as further pressures on the trade sector, and alleged govt’s handling of the situation reflected a planning failure in the electricity sector, calling it the main cause of the current crisis. It further alleged deliberate efforts to push the electricity sector towards privatisation. The association warned that many establishments, most of which operate on thin profit margins, may be forced to shut down if the crisis worsens, as they cannot afford to run on generators bought at high prices.
Kottayam : Traders across Keralam have announced torchlight protests on Monday against the power restrictions that they say are severely affecting the trade and industry sector.