Outlook Business Desk
Over 27 lakh power sector employees across India have planned a one‑day strike on July 9. They are protesting against Uttar Pradesh’s plan to privatise two major power distribution companies.
The state plans to privatise two state utilities, including Purvanchal Vidyut Vidran Nigam Ltd (PVVNL) and Dakshinanchal Vidyut Vidran Nigam Ltd (DVVNL), which serve 42 out of UP’s 75 districts.
All India Power Engineers' Federation (AIPEF) Chairman Shailendra Dubey said the move to privatise them has triggered major concern among power sector workers nationwide.
Ahead of the July 9 strike, AIPEF will hold demonstrations across multiple cities on July 2 as a warning to authorities before the main nationwide protest.
Protests are scheduled in cities across many states including Telangana, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Assam, Meghalaya, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
Shailendra Dubey accused Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd and top officials of colluding with private firms to undervalue and sell public assets, raising concerns of favouritism and misuse.
Dubey said tenders are being floated for privatisation. In protest, over 27 power employees (employees of 27 what?) across states plan a one-day strike in July, which could disrupt power supply.