Karnataka Bundh - A Strike Call by KFCCI on Electricity Tariff Hike

KCC&I, Hubbali had issued an official notification on twitter, on their letter-head specifying the call for a trade & commerce bundh/lockdown. This call came in after the industry association's plea of the steep hike in the electricity power tariff on the commercial consumers were not acknowledged by the newly formed government.

The Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCC&I), Hubballi, has called for a strike on June 22, opposing the hike in electricity tariff.

Official statement of the KCC&I, Hubbali on the call for Trade & Commerce Shutdown for one day on 22nd June 2023

The letter clearly mentioned that the Gadaga, Bijapura, Ranebennuru, Raichuru, Talikoti, Vijaynagara, Mysuru, Davangere, Koppala, Bagalakote, Dharwad, Sirsi, Karawara, Bidara, Shivamogga, Kolara, Mandya. Chikkamagaluru, Yadagiri, Chitradurga, Kalyana Karnataka, Haveri, Hassana, Bellary and other industry associations have agreed to join in the agitation over the abnormal price hike.

However, the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) today clarified that there were no plans to go on a strike. Speaking on the increase in power tariff, FKCCI president B V Gopala Reddy said that they were in constant talks with Karnataka State's Energy Minister K.J.George and were hoping a decision would be made soon.

"We have held discussions with the authorities and have been promised that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will soon meet us and discuss the issues. Hence, we have decided to wait and watch,” said Gopal Reddy.

Reddy also disclosed that the association had also placed a demand of deferment of the power tariff hike until for a year and the reduction of state taxes on electricity tariffs to be brought down from 9% to 3%.

“The ESCOM's have consulted the stakeholders and our opinions have been collected. We have been told that the energy minister and chief minister will hear out the views and come to a decision,” he added.