KOLHAPUR: The state government has appointed a five-member panel to look into the demands of powerloom operators from textile hubs across Maharashtra.
The powerloom operators in protest have decided to not pay electricity bills. Over 9,000 mid-sized powerlooms with 27 HP electricity connection have been made ineligible for the power subsidy from January 1.
These operators did not register through the online portal that demanded details for using an estimate the power consumption and also help authorities check use of subsidised power for other purposes. The powerloom operators, therefore, have decided not to pay the inflated power bills.
Abdul Latif Mohammad Anwar will head the panel that will have to visit the textile zones across the state and interact with the powerloom operators. The panel needs to suggest changes on the online portal so that maximum operators can register themselves. The maximum number of the powerlooms with 27 HP connections are in Ichalkaranji.
The state government grants 3% subsidy on power bills consumed by the textile operators.
