Three-day strike of electricity workers begins in UP

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The three-day strike of the electricity workers of Uttar Pradesh began at 10 pm on Thursday night in connection with the selection of the chairman and managing director in the power companies and some other issues in Lucknow. At the same time, taking a tough stand on this, the government has warned of action under the National Security Act (NSA) in case of sacking of contract workers who do not turn up for work and sabotage during demonstrations. On the other hand, another section of electricians has asked its engineers to work two hours extra in view of this strike.

Shailendra Dubey, convenor of Vidyut Karmachari Sanyukt Sangharsh Samiti, who called for this strike, told PTI that about one lakh electricity workers of the state have started a three-day strike from 10 pm tonight. He said, “All 100 percent night shift workers, junior engineers, engineers have gone on strike in Anpara, Obra, Parichha and Harduaganj power plants. There has been 100 per cent strike in thermal power plants in the night shift.

Electricians start three-day strike

Dubey told that after about 23 years, a complete strike of electricity workers is taking place in the state. He said that on December 3, 2022, there was an agreement between the state government and the electricians. On behalf of the government, Energy Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma had asked for 15 days time to implement the points of the agreement, but now more than three months have passed but the agreement has not been implemented. He said, the government had said in the agreement that the chairman and managing director of the power companies would be selected only through a committee headed by the chief secretary, but this system has been stopped and now these posts are being posted on the basis of transfer. Has been It has become the biggest point of contention.

Government warned of strict action

Meanwhile, State Energy Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma took a tough stand regarding the strike in the late evening press conference. He said that if the contractual electricians join the strike, they will be sacked. In view of the strike, an alert has been declared across the state. The minister claimed that many power unions have pulled out of the strike and many employees want to work. He warned that if anyone stopped the power workers from working, action would be taken against them and if any ‘damage’ was caused during the strike, action would also be taken under Rasuka.

The Energy Minister said that if the strike caused problems to the public, the government would take action against the striking electricians under the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA). The government has made arrangements to keep the state’s electricity system in order. The Power Minister said that the government is continuously talking to the organizations which have announced the strike. Today also the conversation took place for two hours but the ‘dogmatic’ people are not ready to listen. However, the government has still kept the door open for talks.

Arvind Sharma said that the government has taken steps on many points of the agreement signed with the electricity workers on December 3 last. Rest of the points are also being discussed. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Power Officers Association, another wing of electricians, has asked its members in all districts to compulsorily work two hours extra in view of the strike announced by Vidyut Karmachari Sanyukta Sangharsh Samiti to ensure that the state’s power supply is restored. May the arrangement be fine. Acting President of the association Awadhesh Kumar Verma said that the responsibility has been specifically given to those power engineers who specialize in repairing disrupted power supply.

What do the striking workers want?

Dubey, the convenor of ‘Electricity Employees Joint Sangharsh Samiti’, said that in the agreement signed between the electricity workers and the government on December 3, 2022, many points were agreed upon. These include selection of the chairman and managing director of energy corporations by the committee, ordering time-bound pay scales for the three promotional posts available as before, implementation of the Power Sector Employees Protection Act for electricity workers and operationalization of power sub-stations of transmission. and to stop outsourcing of maintenance.

Dubey said that on the call of the National Coordination Committee of Electricity Employees and Engineers, around 27 lakh electricity workers from across the country demonstrated in support of the strike by the electricity workers of Uttar Pradesh. NCCOEEE National Convener Prashant Chowdhary has said that if the electricity workers of Uttar Pradesh, who are agitating peacefully, are harassed in any way, then 27 lakh electricity workers of other states of the country will not remain mute spectators and any such repressive step will be taken across the country. There will be strong opposition.

The 72-hour strike by the electricity workers of Uttar Pradesh has started from 10 pm on Thursday night. In support of this strike, 27 lakh electricity workers across the country have taken to the streets. If any electricity worker is arrested during the peaceful agitation, then indefinite strike along with Jail Bharo agitation has been warned. At the same time, the Yogi government has come in a strict mood. Energy Minister AK Sharma said that in case of obstruction in works, misbehavior with personnel, damage to government property, action will be taken under the provisions of NSA and Rasuka.

Let us tell you that in Uttar Pradesh, the electricity employees have announced a strike. The employees have gone on strike across the state since Thursday night. The employees have said that if action is taken against any of our employees, they will go on indefinite strike. At the same time, Minister Sharma has clearly said that action will be taken under ESMA for any disruption in the power system involved in essential services. He said that strict action will be taken against those who create hurdles in the development of the state and create hurdles in the facilities available to the people.

The employees who announced the movement say that the agreement that was reached should be implemented. If the agreement is not followed then a question mark will arise. We are not angry with anyone. One lakh workers will join the strike. Organizations of 27 lakh workers of the country have also come in our support. The employees’ union says that even in Thursday’s meeting, the people of the management did not come. Due to the attitude of Power Corporation, we have been forced to go on strike. We are ready to talk to anyone. Vidyut Sangharsh Samiti has proposed a 72-hour work boycott.

Electricians told that they have decided to go on a symbolic strike for 72 hours from 10 pm on Thursday night. The strike has started on the call of the National Coordination Committee of Electricity Employees and Engineers (NCCOEEE). In support of this strike, lakhs of electricity workers are protesting on the road in all the provinces of the country. National Convenor of NCCOEEE Prashant Chowdhary, Secretary General of Power Engineers Federation of India P. Ratnakar Rao, National President of All India Federation of Power Diploma Engineers R.K. Trivedi reached Lucknow on Thursday and addressed the meeting of electricity workers.

The employees have further stated that there is a demand of 28000 MW. Expensive electricity is being bought from NTPC and private houses. If action is taken against any of our employees, we will go on an indefinite strike. Officials of NCCOEE have warned that 27 lakh electricians from other states of the country will not remain mute spectators if the electricity workers of Uttar Pradesh, who are agitating peacefully, are harassed in any way. Any repressive step will be retaliated across the country. The right of the government to implement the EMS Act Let us tell you that the state government has the right to implement the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA Act). After the implementation of this act, government employees engaged in essential services cannot go on any kind of strike. If any employee goes on strike, strict action can be taken against him.

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