The Jalandhar Chamber of Industries and Commerce (JCIC) has asked Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal not to increase power tariff in the state. It also flayed the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) authorities for charging arrears of increased tariff since April 1, 2009.

The JCIC said the industry in Punjab is already facing a hard time with a decline of 50 per cent in the production. The increased tariffs would break the back bone of the industry.

JCIC president Narinder Sehgal said the industry is not prepared to bear the 10 per cent increased tariff that has been imposed.

General secretary Charanjit Singh Maingi said the industry in Punjab was being given a step-motherly treatment as compared to Himachal, Uttranchal and J&K.

“We are passing through a hard phase. For the last five months, the factories have been running for four days in a week and a maximum of 10 hours a day. The use of generators has further increased the losses,” said Maingi.

The new industrial policy of SAD-BJP has concessions only for new industries and has nothing to offer to existing ones, he added.

JCIC said the entire financial burden has been put on the industry, while the agriculture sector is given free power.