Members of Rourkela Chamber of Commerce and Industries meet electric supply officials. Picture by Uttam Kumar Pal

Rourkela, Feb. 2: Members of the Rourkela Chamber of Commerce and Industries held a discussion with Gridco and Wesco officials here on Friday, in which they demanded uninterrupted power supply to all industries.

The Rourkela Chamber of Commerce and Industries (RCCI) members said that frequent power cuts had been affecting industrial production in the city. Over 500 small and big industries are located in and around the city.

Although the electric supply company officials claimed that there were no power cuts these days, the traders’ delegation maintained that erratic power supply was affecting local industrial units.

RCCI president Mahesh Vajir said they had requested for adequate stock of consumables, such as cable fittings and fixings, distributors, connectors and insulators, fuses and accessories, in the city to meet regular requirements.

Besides, there should be proper preventive maintenance schedule so that breakdowns are reduced to minimum. “These things are very much necessary for proper and quality supply and it would reduce power cuts,” said Vajir.

Both Gridco and Wesco officials agreed to the suggestion. Wesco would keep the consumables and other appliances in stock to carry out regular maintenance.

Wesco managing director Ricky Uchil said RCCI had demanded for a customer care number and complaint registration number so that the affected people could contact the authorities in case of any problem. “We have agreed to their demand,” said Uchil.

The electric supply officials, however, refused to entertain the RCCI demand to make special arrangements for closed units. The other demand was that security deposits should be in form of bank guarantees and not demand drafts, so that they would get more interest, to which the officials did not agree.