Patiala: Power sector unions have announced a nationwide protest on March 10 against the proposed tabling of the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025 in Parliament. The All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) said a large number of power sector employees across the country will participate in the boycott to oppose the draft legislation.The Bill seeks to change the electricity distribution framework by allowing multiple distribution companies to operate in the same region while sharing existing infrastructure. It also proposes implementing cost-reflective tariffs and phasing out cross-subsidies provided to industrial consumers over the next five years.
AIPEF chairman Shailendra Dubey said stakeholders’ objections had been ignored while drafting the legislation, alleging that the power ministry included pro-privatisation groups in the consultation process. He said the AIPEF meeting was scheduled for Sunday, March 8, in Dehradun to deliberate on the issue.AIPEF’s V K Gupta said that Ajaypal Singh Atwal, general secretary of PSEB Engineers Association, was leading an eight-member delegation to Dehradun. He stated there was “no tearing hurry to adopt such drastic and shortcut methods which go against the letter and spirit of democratic functioning.” Gupta added that all objections raised by stakeholders must be clarified so that concerns and dissenting views are duly addressed before taking further steps.Meanwhile, the National Coordination Committee of Electricity Employees and Engineers, in a letter to the ministry of power, said electricity employees and engineers nationwide were being compelled to undertake a “lightning action” on March 10. The committee said workers would take to the streets in protest against the Bill’s proposed introduction in Parliament on the same day, according to MoP sources. The decision was taken during an online meeting chaired by AIPEF chairman Shailendra Dubey.Committee members warned the govt against introducing what it described as an anti-farmer, anti-consumer and anti-employee Bill. It also said MPs from all political parties would be briefed in Delhi on March 9 about the adverse implications of the draft legislation.MSID:: 129205957 413 |
