UP powermen withdraw strike call, crisis averted

Uttar Pradesh power employees have decided to withdraw their state-wide 48-hour strike call tommorow, to demand cancellation of the Kanpur electricity distribution franchisee awarded to Torrent Power.

The showdown was averted following a meeting between the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) brass and representatives of the Power Employees Joint Action Committee (JAC) last night.

Torrent had won the franchise in bidding last year. Currently, state owned Kanpur Electricity Supply Company Limited (Kesco) distributes power in the industrial town, which has a half-million customers.

UPPCL has given written assurances that the management and JAC representatives would review the situation in Kesco. Based on the material facts, it would recommend on the Torrent franchise to the state government within three weeks.

Besides, a joint committee comprising management and JAC nominees would be formed to study the power situation in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka and give its recommendations.

Earlier, UPPCL was headed for a showdown, with 40,000 powermen adamant on strike, which would have severely affected normal functioning of the power utility.

“Following the written assurance by UPPCL, we have withdrawn the strike call,” JAC spokesperson and All India Power Engineers Federation secretary general Shailendra Dubey told Business Standard.

Six national trade unions, including All India Trade Union Congress, Centre of Indian Trade Unions, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, Indian National Trade Union Congress, Hind Mazdoor Sabha and Hind Mazdoor Kisan Panchayat, had extended support to the powermen.

The distribution franchisee in Agra was also transferred to Torrent in April. Powermen had alleged UPPCL was proceeding with its plan although revenue generation by KESCO has increased substantially over last year. Dubey said during 2008-09, Kesco was supplied 2,635 million units, while the revenue generated was Rs 596 crore.