- By Kamakshi Bishnoi
- Mon, 23 Jun 2025 04:00 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
In a strong show of resistance against the proposed privatisation of electricity distribution companies in Uttar Pradesh, electricity workers, railway employees, government department staff, farmers, and consumers have announced a united mass movement. The decision was declared during the Vidyut Mahapanchayat held on Sunday at Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Auditorium in Ashiana, Lucknow.
The protestors have warned that if the state government proceeds with the tender process for privatising Purvanchal and Dakshinanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigams, electricity employees will begin an indefinite work boycott and launch a Jail Bharo Andolan (fill the jails campaign). They vowed that all stakeholders—farmers, labourers, and common consumers—would take to the streets in protest.
Speakers at the Mahapanchayat termed the move toward privatisation as "anti-people" and demanded its immediate withdrawal. They cautioned the government that any action against protesting electricity employees would be met with a united response from farmers, workers, and the general public.
Allegations of widespread corruption behind large-scale transfers within the Power Corporation were also raised, with demands for a CBI inquiry. It was claimed that the privatisation process itself is mired in irregularities, particularly in the cases of Purvanchal and Dakshinanchal distribution companies.
A series of protest actions were announced:
-July 2: Statewide and nationwide protests will be held.
-July 9: A one-day symbolic nationwide strike by electricity workers will take place in solidarity with their counterparts in Uttar Pradesh.
A resolution passed at the Mahapanchayat emphasised that electricity is a matter of national security and must remain within the public sector. Concerns were raised that the entry of multinational companies post-privatisation could compromise the integrity and security of India's power grid.
Railway employees also extended full support to the electricity workers. Shiv Gopal Mishra, National General Secretary of the All India Railway Men’s Federation, warned that railway employees across India are ready to fill the jails of Uttar Pradesh if the government enforces privatisation on power sector employees.
Farmer organisations, under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, also announced open support. National President Dr Darshan Pal declared virtual solidarity on behalf of all farmer bodies.
Leaders from multiple unions and associations—including the UP Power Officers Association, Vidyut Upbhokta Parishad, Transparency International India, All India Power Engineers Federation, All India Power Diploma Engineers Federation, and state employee federations—also expressed strong opposition and pledged support for the movement.
The Vidyut Karamchari Joint Sangharsh Samiti, represented by key leaders including Sanjay Singh Chauhan, Jitendra Singh Gurjar, and Girish Pandey, reiterated that the protest would continue until the privatisation decision is withdrawn.