Jharkhand Inc backs private players

RANCHI: The Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FJon Thursday criticized the strike by the Jharkhand State Electricity Board (JSEB) employees' co-ordination committee against the government's decision to invite power distribution franchises in Jharkhand.
"We have told the JSEB boss that industrialists would resort to strike if the board caves in to the demands of the agitating employees.FJCCI wants that private players should be invited in the field of power," said FJCCI president Ranjit Tibrewal.
All industrial bodies in the state have supported FJCCI which, on Thursday, called upon JSEB chairman and hailed his decision to invite power distribution franchises. However, FJCCI members threatened that if JSEB concedes to the agitators' demands, there will be retaliation from business houses in the state.
The FJCCI president said the government's decision to invite power distribution franchises will help industries flourish. "The decision of the government is a welcome step and the entire business community supports it," said Tibrewal.
There are around 2,000 medium and small-scale industries in the state capital which are dependent on JSEB for power supply. The business body had earlier expressed its dissatisfaction over power supply irregularities in the state and the board's functioning.
"It is extremely difficult to obtain a connection from JSEB. Engineers and authorities concerned make us run from pillar to post for a single connection. Beside the harassment that we have to face, officers even seek huge kickbacks for giving a new connection," said an FJCCI official seeking anonymity.
Tibrewal also acknowledged the problem. "It is not a new thing that kickbacks are needed at various tables," he said.
Mahesh Poddar, former president of FJCCI, said if the government distributes electricity through private players, power situation in the state will improve. "Industries, which have to deal with erratic power supply perennially, will get regular power supply," said Poddar.
Bharat Vasani, secretary of Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industries, agreed. FJCCI members had a detailed talk with JSEB chairman SN Verma about the situation on Thursday.