Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Mar 14 (PTI) Industrial bodies in Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar have demanded a reduction of Rs 5 per unit in electricity tariffs, citing soaring production costs amid the ongoing West Asia crisis, officials said on Saturday.

Earlier this week, the administration in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar asked industrial associations to present a list of demands, which was then handed over to State Industries Minister Uday Samant during a meeting.

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, a key business hub in the state’s Marathwada region, is home to automobile, engineering, pharmaceutical and steel industries. The war between the US, Israel and Iran has hit the supply of fuel, raising the production costs.

Samant on Thursday said that the industries in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar have gas stocks for between three and 12 days, but operations should not stop.

In their list of demands, the Chamber of Marathwada Industries and Agriculture (CMIA), the Marathwada Association of Small Scale Industries and Agriculture (MASSIA), among other organisations, sought a reduction in electricity tariff by Rs 5 per unit.

They have cited that the rise in the prices of raw materials has increased production costs, and the reduction in electricity costs will provide relief to the sector, which has been hit by the war in West Asia.

Industries have also sought a moratorium on loan repayments, pending aid and subsidy, and fast-tracking of permits for alternative fuels. PTI AW ARU

Electricity tariff reduction sought to offset rising production costs amid fuel supply disruption and request for repayment moratorium. Industrial associations in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar formally sought a reduction in electricity tariffs to alleviate rising production costs from disrupted fuel supplies, alongside a moratorium on loan repayments and expedited permits for alternative fuels; these demands were compiled after an administrative request and presented to the State Industries Minister, who acknowledged limited gas stocks but urged continued operations.