Hyderabad: The two-day power holiday to the industrial sector has been affecting small and medium industries, especially since most of their business is during the festival season.
Small-scale industries like candle-making units, handicraft makers, packaged food item factories, many run by women entrepreneurs, fear substantial losses due to their inability to afford alternate supply. Small industries also suffer four-hour daily cuts as they are supplied power from domestic feeders.
Malls, shops and small commercial establishments too have been suffering due to scheduled cuts for the last one month as they do not have separate feeders.
“Small industries’ main business lasts through the festive season. We make decorative LEDs during the festive season. But, the two-day power holiday has been hampering production and testing.
After production, we cannot send the bulbs untested as it will damage our customer base,” said Shilpa Rao, who who runs a manufacturing unit in Jeedimetla.
Cottage industries making diyas, candles, decorative hangings and food items are also suffering losses. Handlooms, textiles, food processing units are missing out on the festive high.
“The two-day holiday has reduced our productivity by 20 per cent,” said Shamala P., who owns a unit in the city.
