COIMBATORE: The Federation of Coimbatore Industrial Associations (FOCIA) has urged Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd (TNPDCL) to allow industries to pay the additional security deposit for electricity connections in 12 monthly instalments, citing severe financial strain on MSMEs.In a petition submitted to TNPDCL executive engineer R Sudha, FOCIA coordinators J James, S Surulivel and A Sivashanmugakumar, along with more than 100 office-bearers, said the power utility had sought additional deposit after eight years by calculating it based on the 2025 power bill and directed consumers to pay two-thirds of the assessed amount. The petition said TNPDCL had warned that power supply would be disconnected if the payment was not made.FOCIA said the demand for paying the enhanced deposit immediately had become a major burden for MSME units, with some managing to pay amid an ongoing industrial slowdown while thousands of entrepreneurs were unable to arrange funds at short notice.The federation flagged delays in implementing a 2023 govt order to shift power connections of micro units with load up to 12 kW from ‘LT 3B’ to ‘LT 3A-1’. It said around 2.70 lakh entrepreneurs were in the below-12 kW category and urged TNPDCL to expedite the reclassification.Sudha, who received the petition, assured the delegation that she would discuss the 12-month instalment request with higher officials and revert within two months.
