The All India Power Engineers Federation has issued a stern warning to the government. Engineers and employees across the country are ready to launch a massive joint agitation. This action will happen if the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the ongoing privatisation of the power sector in Uttar Pradesh are not withdrawn immediately.
Federal Council Meeting in Kolkata
The federation held a crucial Federal Council meeting in Kolkata on Monday. Representatives from power engineers' associations across numerous states attended. These states included Punjab, Kerala, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Odisha, West Bengal, and others. Jharkhand, Jammu, Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh were also represented. Shailender Dubey presided over this significant gathering.
Key Issues Discussed
The meeting focused on two major concerns. First, the Union power ministry's persistent push to privatise Distribution Companies, known as DISCOMs. Second, the advancement of the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2025. The council members deliberated extensively on the next course of action to counter these moves.
Speakers at the meeting emphasised the broader interest of farmers and poor consumers. They argued that keeping the power sector in the public domain is crucial. For this purpose, they demanded the immediate withdrawal of the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2025 issued by the ministry of power.
Resolution and Call for Action
The Federal Council passed a strong resolution. It called upon power engineers in all states and union territories to prepare for a nationwide strike. This strike would directly oppose the privatisation of the power sector.
The federation plans to form a joint front with farmers and consumers. Together, electricity workers intend to launch a widespread public movement against privatisation. They appealed to the general public for support, urging people to stand with power employees to stop the privatisation process.
Concerns Over Privatisation
The federation outlined serious economic concerns. They stated that private companies would use the government sector's existing network to earn profits. Meanwhile, the agriculture sector and poor consumers would remain with government companies. This situation, they warned, would increase the losses of government companies and could render them financially bankrupt.
A particularly dangerous provision in the Electricity (Amendment) Bill was highlighted. The bill contains clauses aimed at eliminating subsidy and cross-subsidy, which could severely impact vulnerable consumers.
Background and Statements
The longest ongoing mass movement against power sector privatisation has already completed 417 days in Uttar Pradesh. The central government released the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2025 in October. The AIPEF strongly presented its viewpoints on this bill during a virtual meeting with the Union power secretary on January 12.
V K Gupta, a spokesperson, accused the centre of forcing states to privatise. He said this pressure comes in the name of financial assistance from the central government, calling it arm-twisting and blackmail. The federation stated clearly that such tactics would not be accepted.
The final warning was unequivocal. If the central government takes any decision to proceed with these measures, power engineers and employees across India will be forced to agitate against it. The stage is set for a major confrontation unless the government reconsiders its stance.
