Alarmed over increasing power tariff for industries in the state, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan has appointed a group of ministers to resolve the issue. The move came in a weekly Cabinet meeting after industry observed a flash strike on October 25. Industries in the state expect a rise of at least 25% in their production and manufacturing costs because of increasing cost of power.

Industries in the state are mostly powered by state distribution company Mahavitaran, which revised its rates from this month. The per unit industrial tariff in the state is Rs.2-2.50 more than the neighbouring states of Gujarat and Karnataka.

Power minister Rajesh Tope said that the group of ministers (number of participant and leader yet to be decided) would study the issue and come out with a reasonable solution. He did not say whether the ministers would also take a call on domestic and commercial tariff.