In a fervent display of protest, a coalition of industrialists and business stakeholders affiliated with the Tamil Nadu Industries Electricity Consumers Federation recently staged a hunger strike at Palanganatham in Madurai. The strike, which took place o Monday, was organized to vehemently oppose the steep increase in electricity charges that had been imposed on them. RM Lakshminarayanan, the President of MADITSSIA, was among the prominent participants in the demonstration.The alarming surge in electricity tariffs had left many industrial units with no choice but to cease their operations, causing widespread repercussions throughout the state. The one-day statewide token strike, spearheaded by these resolute industrialists, not only disrupted the daily lives of countless workers but also inflicted substantial economic damage.
Official estimates indicate that this industrial strike led to the unfortunate loss of employment for a staggering 80 lakh workers. Furthermore, the state incurred a colossal production loss, amounting to an astronomical sum of Rs 9,000 crore.