Rice millers to go on strike on October 25

Rice millers to go on strike on October 25

All rice mills in the state are going observe one day's strike on October 25, in protest against the hike in the rates of electricity consumption. This was announced by president of Gondia District Rice Millers' Association Gajanan Agrawal in a press conference held here on Sunday.

Stating that the cost of electricity in Maharashtra is higher than other neighbouring states, Agrawal announced the per unit rates of electricity consumption in neighbouring rice producing states like Chhattisgarh (Rs5.25), MP (Rs5.85), Gujarat (Rs5.50), Karnataka (Rs5.25) and Andhra Pradesh (Rs5.70) against Rs8.51 per unit in Maharashtra.

He said that the hike in the rate of power consumption in Maharashtra will naturally increase the cost of production of rice. "We shall not be able to stand in competition with these states and it is apprehended that our paddy business to these states will be affected", he said.

He added that the power hike will not only affect rice trade, but all the industries in the state too. The state which was once No. one in the country in industrialization, might be thrown out of competition, he said.

Others who were present in the press conference were secretary Ashook Agrawal, former President Damodar Agrawal, Ashok Agrawal and Dinesh Dadariwal.