7 months ago
Electricity Staff Threaten Strike Over Privatization Bill
A group called the All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) is very upset about a new electricity bill that might be passed in Parliament.
They say the bill could lead to privatization of the power sector, which they strongly oppose.
The federation, which represents millions of power engineers and 27 lakh electricity employees, has warned that they will go on strike if the bill is approved.
They have asked for the new draft of the bill to be made public and for stakeholders to be allowed to give their feedback.
The federation is also unhappy because they feel that state power ministers are being consulted while other important people are being left out of the discussions.
They plan to announce their next steps after a meeting with the power secretary on January 12.
AIPEF threatens nationwide strike over the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2025 if it is cleared with privatization provisions.
The federation demands the public release of the new draft prepared by the parliamentary standing committee on energy.
AIPEF criticizes the Union power minister for consulting state power ministers without including stakeholders in discussions on the revised draft.
The federation alleges that the ministry is engaging in closed-door talks on the revised bill while excluding key stakeholders.
AIPEF's National Coordination Committee core group will announce its anti-privatization strategy after a meeting with the power secretary on January 12.
- Who
- All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) and 27 lakh electricity employees
- What
- Threat of a nationwide strike over the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2025
- Where
- Hyderabad, with potential nationwide impact
- When
- Strike threatened if the bill is cleared in Parliament; meeting with power secretary on January 12
- Why
- Opposition to privatization provisions in the bill and lack of transparency in the drafting process
Key facts
- Organization
- All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF)
- Number of Employees
- 27 lakh
- Bill in Question
- Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2025
- Key Demand
- Public release of the new draft
- Deadline for Comments
- March 31
- Meeting with Power Secretary
- January 12
- Consultation with State Ministers
- January 22–23
Quotes
Shailendra Dubey
Chairman of the All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF)
“Power engineers and employees will never accept power sector privatisation.”
deccanchronicle.com
