Power Engineers Federation Issues Nationwide Strike Notice Over Electricity Bill Concerns
The All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF), representing engineers across state power utilities, Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), and Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), has formally served a nationwide strike and work boycott notice for February 12 to the Union Power Minister. This action highlights escalating tensions between power sector professionals and government policymakers.
Engineers' Anger Over Policies Threatening Public Power Sector
AIPEF Chairman Shailendra Dubey stated that the proposed strike reflects the deep-seated anger and concern of lakhs of electricity employees and engineers. They are protesting against policies they believe threaten to dismantle India's public power infrastructure. The federation has positioned this as a defensive action to protect national interests.
Immediate Actions Planned If Electricity Bill Introduced
The federation has declared that if the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2025 is introduced in Parliament during the upcoming Budget Session, power engineers and employees nationwide will launch immediate lightning actions. These include:
- Cessation of work across power facilities
- Mass street mobilisation and public demonstrations
- Coordinated protests at state and central levels
Direct Attack on Affordable Power and Federal Structure
Dubey characterized the proposed Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the National Electricity Policy 2026 as a direct attack on multiple fronts:
- Affordable power accessibility for consumers
- Public ownership of power infrastructure
- India's federal structure in energy distribution
- National energy security considerations
Government Accountability for Potential Power Disruptions
The AIPEF chairman issued a stern warning, stating that if the government refuses to engage meaningfully with their concerns, it will bear full responsibility for any disruption in power supply. Power engineers assert they have no option but to defend public power systems and consumer interests through these measures.
Opposition to Aggressive Privatization Policies
The federation has voiced strong opposition to the Union Government's push toward aggressive privatization in the power sector, including:
- Multi-licensing in power distribution networks
- Forced implementation of smart metering systems
- Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models
- Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) in transmission
- Outsourcing of critical operations
- Contractualisation of permanent job positions
Warning Against Failed Privatization Experiments
AIPEF highlighted the failed privatization experiment in Chandigarh as a cautionary example and warned against similar moves planned in multiple states including:
- Uttar Pradesh (specifically PVVNL and DVVNL)
- Rajasthan
- Maharashtra
- Madhya Pradesh
- Other states considering similar privatization measures
The federation's nationwide strike notice represents a significant escalation in the ongoing debate about India's power sector future, with engineers positioning themselves as defenders of public interest against what they perceive as detrimental policy changes.
