TN power employees to join national stir over amendment row

Nine trade unions of state-run power monolith TANGEDCO will go on strike soon, as part of a national stir, against a proposed amendment to the Electricity Act by the central government.
The convenor of Central Organisation of Tamil Nadu Electricity Employees, (affiliated to CITU), S S Subramanian told reporters here today that about 80,000 employees of TANGEDCO in the state would strike work on the day when the amendment Bill is taken up in Parliament.
"The amendment Bill is likely to be taken up by Parliament in the third week of July and on that day we will strike work," he said.

"Amendments to the Electricity Act, 2003 will be seriously detrimental to national, consumer and employees interests."
The proposed amendments, if passed in Parliament, would have an adverse impact on electricity distribution by bringing
in private players, he alleged.

The strike initiative was part of steps trade unions have
been taking to stall the amendment from getting adopted in Parliament, he said.
"When the Electricity Act itself is flawed, you can imagine the kind of consequences from the amendment which is built on the already flawed law," he added.
Asked whether the strike would hit consumers, he said "may
be in areas where their services are needed for repair or other needs."

Representatives of other trade unions were also present in
the press meet and all of them wanted the Centre to refrain from going ahead with the proposed move.