Sri Vijaya Puram, Aug 10: The Chairman of Campaign Committee-ANTCC, Mr. TSG Bhasker, has urged the Lieutenant Governor, A&N Islands, to urgently review the exorbitant electricity tariff being charged to hotels, resorts and other commercial establishments in the Islands.
Mr. Bhasker pointed out that hotels and resorts are being charged ₹22.50 per unit, which is the highest in the country. He said that such an excessive tariff is severely affecting the tourism and hospitality sector, which is the backbone of the Islands economy and provides employment to thousands of local residents.
He also highlighted the commercial water tariff of around ₹168 per kilolitre and the high cost of construction materials and transportation, stating that the cumulative burden is making the cost of doing business in the Islands extremely high.
“The inefficiencies of the Electricity Department should not be passed on to the tourism industry and local businesses. Such exorbitant utility charges are against the spirit of Ease of Doing Business and are making the Islands less competitive as a tourism destination,” Mr. TSG Bhasker said.
He urged the A&N Administration and the concerned regulatory authorities to introduce a rational and tourism-friendly electricity tariff structure for hotels, resorts and tourism-related establishments in the larger interest of tourism, investment, employment and the people of the Islands.
