CHANDIGARH: Lakhs of power sector employees and engineers across the nation staged protests on Thursday against the proposed electricity (amendment) bill 2025 and ongoing privatization process in several states.The nationwide agitation was organized under the banner of the National Coordination Committee of Electricity Employees and Engineers (NCCOEEE).
Shalendra Dubey Chairman AIPEF warned in Varanasi that if centre and states do not reconsider to stop the privatization process in power sector a nationwide agitation will follow.The bill would pave the way for the energy sector and resulting in steep hike in tariffs that would push electricity beyond the power of low income consumers and farmers.
According to V K Gupta Media advisor of the All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF), demonstrations were held in all states, including Patiala, Jammu, Kashmir, Dehradun, and all major cities such as Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, Ranchi, Guwahati, Lucknow, In Uttar Pradesh, protests were particularly intense in Varanasi and Agra. The protesting employees have demanded that the central government withdraw the Electricity (amendment) bill 2025 and stop the privatization process in UP.
Response to the call given by AIPEF a strong protest against a rally was organised today at Patiala by all engineers and employee unions and associations in solidarity with, and in support of, the UP Engineers and Employees as they complete one year of their ongoing struggle against ongoing privatization process and electricity Bill 2025.