The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) had approached the court after the State Regulatory Commission directed it to supply power to the units at the Kinfra Integrated Textile park.
“We have obtained a stay from the High Court against the order of the Regulatory Commission. The KSEB has also appealed against the order of the Commission with the Appellate Tribunal in New Delhi.
“At peak hours, we are purchasing power at Rs 10 per unit. How can we give power to the park at the bulk tariff rate. Let Kinesco purchase power directly and supply to the entrepreneurs,” said Swaminathan, Executive Engineer, KSEB.
Other than Blaze Polypack, three other units are at various stages of construction at the textile park.
In all, 40 units have remitted 50 per cent deposit, while allotment to another 40 units are at initial stages.
“We had completed work of our factory eight months ago and are still awaiting power supply. We employ 30 hands and hence have no option but to run our machines on generators. Now we have received a no-objection certificate from Kinesco to independently arrange for power supply,” said Aravindan, General Manager, Blaze Polypack.
Work Stopped
Meanwhile several entrepreneurs have not been as lucky as Blaze.
“I have stopped work at my unit though orders have been placed for importing machines. A lot of my hard-earned money has been indefinitely blocked,” said Ali Kuzhippallil of Muvattupuzha, whose napkin and tissue paper manufacturing unit will now remain a distant dream.