Bhubaneswar, Aug. 3: The Rourkela Chamber of Commerce and Industries (RCCI) has drawn the attention of the state government to the problem of power tariff hike being faced by the steel industry and induction furnaces and other problems encountered by micro, small and medium enterprises.

A delegation of the commerce and industries body, led by its president K.K. Podar, had called on chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday.

The power tariff problem, RCCI believes, would sound the death knell for the steel industry in the state if it is not addressed properly in time.

At present, the power tariff per unit for the industry is the highest in Odisha (Rs 6 per unit), while in Chhattisgarh and Bengal it is below Rs 5, and this has made the state steel industry less competitive, said the delegates.

"This needs immediate intervention from the government, or else the livelihood of over 45,000 will be at stake," said Podar.

"If the situation is not addressed the labourers might leave for the neighbouring states," he said.

Speaking at a news conference in Rourkela today, Podar said: "We had a very interactive meeting with the chief minister at the secretariat. He gave a very patient hearing to our problems and also showed concern. He also promised all possible help for the survival and growth of the industry in the region," said the RCCI president.

The delegation presented a detailed report on the disparity in power tariff in three states - Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh - where the small and medium scale steel industries are largely found.

Podar said they also met industries minister Niranjan Pujari and told him about the problems of various industries following enforcement of the goods and services tax (GST).