Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin offers Rs 2 per unit power subsidy for eateries switching from LPG amid supply crisis | India News

New Delhi: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Saturday announced a subsidy of Rs 2 per unit on additional electricity consumption for restaurants, tea shops, cloud kitchens and other food manufacturing units that switch from LPG to electric stoves, as the state government moves to tackle fuel shortages linked to tensions in the Gulf region.The decision was taken at a review meeting chaired by Stalin at the Secretariat to assess the impact of LPG shortage on industrial and food sectors and ensure smooth running of their operations.Tamil Nadu Power Generation and Distribution Corporation chairman and managing director J Radhakrishnan said the disruption began after Tehran blocked ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz after the US and Israel launched a joint military strike on Iran on February 28.He said the move has affected the supply of crude oil and LPG to India from the Gulf region.Under the new measure, eateries receiving subsidy for excess electricity consumed during the period when commercial LPG consumption restrictions imposed by the central government are in effect will shift to electric cooking.To support micro, small and medium enterprises, the state government will also provide subsidized loans for purchase of electrical appliances like stoves and heaters. Under the unemployed youth employment generation programme, eligible entrepreneurs can avail 25 percent subsidy up to ₹3.75 lakh. The Tamil Nadu Women Entrepreneurship Development Scheme will provide 25 percent subsidy at ₹2 lakh for loans up to ₹10 lakh to support women-led businesses.For SC and ST entrepreneurs, the Annai Ambedkar Business Champions Scheme will provide 35 percent higher capital subsidy of up to ₹1 crore to promote adoption of high-efficiency electrical appliances.The government has allowed industries to temporarily switch to alternative fuels like kerosene, RDF, HSD and biomass instead of LPG and CNG. These units will not require fresh compliance approval from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and will only need to inform the authority in advance. Relaxation during LPG and CNG restrictions will remain in place.Across Tamil Nadu, about 60,698 factories use fuels like LPG, CNG, diesel, furnace oil and firewood with permission from the Pollution Control Board.The state also said that Avin Cooperative Societies will collect surplus milk produced by farmers without restriction. Tamil Nadu has 9,300 Primary Milk Producer Cooperative Societies capable of handling about 55 lakh liters of milk per day.Farmers will be allowed to sell vegetables and fruits freely in 194 Ujhavar evenings or farmers’ markets across the state to ensure that their livelihood is not affected if restaurants reduce operations due to LPG shortage.To monitor the allocation of LPG to commercial establishments, the government will constitute a state level monitoring committee under the chief secretary and district level committees headed by district collectors and officials of oil distribution companies.The state has supplied an additional 3,228 kiloliters of kerosene this month to ration card holders through the government distribution system.The state government’s coordinator of oil companies said fuel reserves are adequate and urged people not to panic.“The stock of petrol and diesel is sufficient for a month, and more will be arranged. The public need not panic. Sales of petrol and diesel have doubled due to rumours. Normally, gas cylinders are supplied to urban areas once every 25 days, and there is enough stock up to a month. LPG will be supplied to schools, colleges and LPG hospitals. Hostels,” he said.The Chief Minister had earlier chaired a review meeting on the LPG shortage on March 10 and directed the departments to take measures to address the restrictions.Subsequently, the state food and civil supplies minister met industry representatives and hotel and restaurant associations on March 11 to discuss their concerns, while the chief secretary held review meetings with officials of relevant departments on March 9, 12 and 13.