The ongoing strike by power department employees in Uttar Pradesh has led to power outages and disruptions in various parts of the state, impacting the lives of citizens. The strike by nearly 100,000 employees has been ongoing since March 16, with employees demanding the resolution of their concerns by the government. These include implementing the Power Sector Employees Protection Act, revising allowances, and fixing salary anomalies. The government has invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) against protesters and threatened to fire temporary workers if they do not resume work or if public property is damaged. However, the striking employees have stated that they will continue their strike until their demands are met. The situation is ongoing, with no news of a resolution at the time of writing.
Power Outages in Uttar Pradesh Impact Hospitals, as Strike by Power Department Employees Continues
A strike by power department employees in Uttar Pradesh has led to power outages affecting normal life in the state, with many hospitals suffering as a result. While some hospitals have been able to manage with generators, several parts of the state have been facing power outages for up to 72 hours.
The strike started at 10 pm on Thursday, March 16, with nearly 100,000 employees protesting under the banner of the Vidyut Karamcharis Sanyukt Sangharsh, a union of electricity department employees. The employees are demanding the resolution of their concerns by the government, which include the implementation of the Power Sector Employees Protection Act, stopping the outsourcing of operation and maintenance of power sub-stations for transmission, agreeing to equal honorarium for different corporations, revising allowances, and fixing salary anomalies. The demands also include fulfilling criteria for the selection of power companies’ chairman and managing directors through a committee headed by the chief secretary, rather than being filled on the basis of transfer.
The government has responded to the strike by invoking the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) against protesters and threatening to fire temporary workers if they do not resume work or if public property is damaged. The government has also issued a warning that it would invoke the National Security Act (NSA) if the employees do not resume their duties. The government has already terminated the services of 1,332 contractual workers.
The strike has caused concern among the state’s citizens and the government has been urged to take swift action to resolve the issues. The government’s response has been seen as strong, with warnings that any damage to public property will not be tolerated, and with the invoking of the ESMA and the threat of invoking the NSA.
The situation is ongoing, and there is no news of a resolution at the time of writing.
Power Employees’ Strike Causes Power Outages and Disruptions in Uttar Pradesh
A strike by power department employees in Uttar Pradesh has caused power outages, impacting normal life in the state. This is not the first time that power employees in Uttar Pradesh have gone on strike; in October 2020, they boycotted work indefinitely to protest against the proposed privatization of the Varanasi discom, and in May 2020 and 2021, the state government invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) for six months each time.
Nearly 100,000 employees have been on strike under the banner of Vidyut Karamcharis Sanyukt Sangharsh, a union of electricity department employees, since March 16. The employees are demanding the resolution of their concerns by the government, including implementing the Power Sector Employees Protection Act, stopping the outsourcing of operation and maintenance of power sub-stations for transmission, agreeing to equal honorarium for different corporations, revising allowances, and fixing salary anomalies. The demands also include fulfilling criteria for the selection of power companies’ chairman and managing directors through a committee headed by the chief secretary, rather than being filled on the basis of transfer.
The strike has led to power outages and disruptions in various parts of the state, with hospitals struggling due to power cuts. Some hospitals are running on generators, while others have been unable to admit patients with serious conditions due to power cuts. The strike has also impacted students’ studies, with some facing difficulties during their board exams.
The government has responded to the strike by invoking the ESMA against protesters and threatening to fire temporary workers if they do not resume work or if public property is damaged. Uttar Pradesh’s energy minister, A.K. Sharma, denied any power cuts in the state, stating that “we have enough supplies and less demands.” However, reports from different cities contradict the minister’s statement, with people facing power cuts and disruptions.
The situation is ongoing, with no news of a resolution at the time of writing. The strike has caused concern among citizens, and the government has been urged to take swift action to resolve the issues. The striking employees have stated that they will continue their strike until their demands are met.
Power Outages Continue to Affect Villages and Hospitals in Uttar Pradesh
The ongoing strike by power department employees in Uttar Pradesh has led to power outages and disruptions in various parts of the state, impacting the lives of citizens. In Kannauj’s Harsh Vardhan Nagar, villagers had to walk a kilometer to fetch water due to the lack of electric supply for 72 hours. Similarly, in Deoria’s Savitri hospital, a worker from Rampur Lala village said that at least 350 people were suffering due to the lack of power supply for three days.
The strike by nearly 100,000 employees under the banner of Vidyut Karamcharis Sanyukt Sangharsh, a union of electricity department employees, has led to concerns among citizens, with many struggling due to power cuts and disruptions. Women in Harsh Vardhan Nagar have to walk a kilometer twice a day to fetch water, and children’s education is also suffering as examinations are going on.
The strike began on March 16, with employees demanding the resolution of their concerns by the government, including implementing the Power Sector Employees Protection Act, stopping the outsourcing of operation and maintenance of power sub-stations for transmission, agreeing to equal honorarium for different corporations, revising allowances, and fixing salary anomalies. The demands also include fulfilling criteria for the selection of power companies’ chairman and managing directors through a committee headed by the chief secretary, rather than being filled on the basis of transfer.
The government has responded to the strike by invoking the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) against protesters and threatening to fire temporary workers if they do not resume work or if public property is damaged. However, the striking employees have stated that they will continue their strike until their demands are met.
Former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Congress leader Ajay Kumar Lallu have expressed their support for the striking employees, with the latter stating that his party would raise their voices and make contract workers permanent if they were in power. Senior journalist Sharat Pradhan has criticized the government’s lack of effective communication with the people, stating that they believe what they have said is the law and that everyone must follow it.
The situation is ongoing, with no news of a resolution at the time of writing. The strike has caused concern among citizens, and the government has been urged to take swift action to resolve the issues.
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