Raipur . Vishnudev Sai Cabinet has taken a big decision in the interest of the steel industries of the state. It was decided to give a discount of one rupee per unit in energy charges to the mini steel plants of the state. This discount has been given to steel industries having capacity of less than one megawatt and more than 2.5 MVA except captive power plants. The state government has said that this decision has been taken with the aim of providing relief to the steel industries while keeping them competitive due to industrial and economic recession.
In the state of Chhattisgarh, with the objective of keeping the HV-4 category electricity consumers – mini steel plants, steel industries which do not have captive power plant or have less than one megawatt and their load is more than 2.5 MVA competitive and giving them relief due to industrial and economic recession, the cabinet took an important decision and decided to give a maximum discount of one rupee per unit in energy charges from 01 October 2024 to 31 March 2025 under the special relief package.
Let us tell you that steel industries in Chhattisgarh had stopped production against the increased electricity bill. About 150 mini steel plants and 50 other sponge iron plants were on strike since July 29, 2024. Due to the increase in electricity rates, the cost of making iron had increased significantly. In view of the situation, the Chhattisgarh Mini Steel Plant Association had demanded from the state government to reduce the electricity duty from 8 percent to 0 for 15 years with a subsidy of Rs 1.40 for five years.
Mini Steel Industries Association expressed gratitude
Anil Nachrani, president of Chhattisgarh Mini Steel Plant Association, expressed gratitude to the state government for this decision. He said that there is a lot of difference between our demand and the proposal approved by the cabinet, yet we are grateful and satisfied that our voice was heard. This decision shows that we were successful in convincing the government that the steel industry is an important part of Chhattisgarh’s economy.
He said that we are confident that we will continue to have constructive dialogue with the government and work together to support all the steel industries of the state. Our aim is to strengthen this sector and contribute to the overall development of Chhattisgarh.
