With power cuts increasing to nearly nine hours a day in several parts of the State (except Chennai), industries are hit by the drop in production. Representatives of some of the industry associations plan to meet here next week.

D. Balasundaram, Tamil Nadu Electricity Consumers’ Association president, said the industries suffered at least eight hours of load shedding every day, apart from peak-hour restriction for four hours. “The situation is getting bad. We do not know the reason for the increase in power cuts, whether it is a temporary problem or if it will worsen. We want to appeal to the Government to share the information with consumers,” he said. So, members of some of the industrial associations here will meet on Wednesday.

The Tamil Nadu Electricity Consumers’ Joint Council was constituted last year by 140 industrial associations in different parts of the State, as power shortage increased after September. With the duration of power cut going up again now, a meeting of the council might also be held, he said.

Meanwhile, officials of the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) will have a meeting with industry representatives here on Monday (November 25).

Textile mills are using generators when there is no power supply and those who are unable to use the generators because of high cost of fuel have reduced production. However, there are indications that thermal energy generation will increase and supply will improve in two weeks, according to the Southern India Mills’ Association.

P. Anbazhagan, president of Coimbatore SIDCO Industrial Estate manufacturers’ Welfare Association, says frequent and unannounced load shedding has resulted in several problems for the industries. Foundries need continuous supply of power to complete production.

Power cuts have affected the equipment and the quality of the products and are increasing the costs. The government should ensure uninterrupted power supply at least during day time to the industries.