Power sector employees call for nationwide strike on Dec 8

About 1.2 mn employees are likely to join the protest against the 'anti-people' Electricity (Amendment) Bill

National Coordination Committee Of Electricity Employees and Engineers (NCCOEEE) will go on a day-long strike on December 8 to protest against Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2014.

"NCCOEEE has decided to observe one day strike/work boycott on December 8 against Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2014 during Winter Session of Parliament. Strike decision has been taken by NCCOEEE in its meeting held at Delhi," a press release by All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) said.

As per the statement, NCCOEE has termed the proposed bill as anti-people and has decided to oppose it tooth and nail.

NCOEEE has decided to strike on December 8 throughout the country. About 1.2 million power employees and engineers are likely to participate in nationwide strike.

The Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2014 was introduced in Lok Sabha in December last year. It seeks to segregate the distribution network from the electricity supply business.

The bill also seeks to introduce multiple supply licencees in the market. It will enable consumers to choose their service provider.

All state units of power engineers and employees will hold state conventions and mass demonstrations or rallies at state capitals in the month of November to mobilise for the December 8 strike.

NCCOEEE has planned for massive demonstration on November 6 at Kochi where power ministers conference of all states has been arranged by the Power Ministry.

According to NCCOEEE, the bill which seeks to split electricity distribution sector into carriage and content to enable profit mongers to enter into supply business of urban and revenue potential area without any investment for development or expansion of the power industry.

The proposed bill if enacted will open the sector for cherry picking by the suppliers pressing the poor and low end consumer to pay more for consumption of Electricity, it added.