Raipur. The iron traders of Chhattisgarh are now preparing to get electricity from Adani Power Limited (APL) as they are not getting subsidy in electricity. The traders will use it when it is supplied through the power grid. This exercise is being done in view of the increase in production cost and loss due to the increase in electricity bill for a long time.
Anil Nachrani, President of Chhattisgarh Sponge Iron Association, said that there are about 800 factories of iron industries in the state. Through this, 5 lakh people are directly and 10 lakh people are indirectly associated. Due to the availability of ample electricity to the industries, people have got employment as well as the development of the state, but due to the increase in electricity bills, the cost of production is increasing continuously. Earlier, where mini steel plant (furnace) industries used to consume about 1300 units of electricity per ton. This used to cost Rs 8000 per ton of electricity, but, due to increase in electricity rate by Rs 1.40 from June 2024, the cost is coming to Rs 10000 per ton. This has increased the cost by Rs 1800 to Rs 2000 per ton. Whereas if you take electricity from Adani Company, you will get electricity at Rs 5.50 per unit.
Electricity is 25% more expensive in the state
Iron traders say that at this time they are buying electricity at 25 percent higher price. Mini steel plant (furnace) is an industry with electricity incentive. The entire iron business runs at a difference of Rs 400 to Rs 500 per ton. Seeing the huge loss due to this, it has now become impossible to run the industry.
