Furnace oil & pet coke ban hurts 25 lakh workers

India’s trade body, ASSOCHAM, has advocated giving adequate time to the industrial consumers to migrate from the furnace oil and pet coke to gas-based operations.

It is estimated that about 1,000 units directly and nearly 10,000 allied units have been severely impacted by the ban on the use of pet coke and furnace oil from 1 November 2017, said the Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).

It said time is required for the major fuel switch and save livelihood of over 25 Lakh workers in the national capital region (NCR) employed in the industries.

Large, medium and small industries such as textiles, rubber, sugar, steel, paper, packaging, forging, agro are directly affected.

The NCR is the major hub of export of garments and auto components.

Businesses will not be able to sustain business because of sharp increase in cost of fuel, as a result of ban on use of pet coke & furnace oil, considered to be more pollutive.

There are no clear guidelines regarding emission of pollutants such as SO2 and Nitrogen Oxide (NOx).

Natural gas, the only alternative to furnace oil and pet coke, is nearly four times more expensive.

The industries cannot afford in this competitive environment and poor economic scenario.

The industries are already under tremendous stress after the implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST). The ban on use of Pet Coke will prove to be the final nail in the coffin, said ASSOCHAM. fii-news.com