IFTU hails Struggle, Victory of UP Power Workers and Engineers Against Privatization!

National Committee of IFTU congratulates the UP Power workers and engineers who fought successfully under the banner of UP Vidyut Karamchari Sanyukt Sangharsh Samiti against the privatization and dissolution of Varanasi Discom or Poorvanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd.

The UP govt had decided to go ahead privatization of the distribution of electricity services corporation citing losses. The unions, led by AIPEF had claimed that initially when privatization steps had started the losses were only around 700 crores. But today accumulated losses are above Rs 92,000 crores.

They said that while the All India Power Engineers Federation has been demanding annulment of the Electricity Amendment Bill 2020, the govt has pushed ahead with privatization without resolving pending issues of Direct Benefit Transfer to subsidized beneficiaries. The centre they say is pushing ahead with this bill and privatization on its own despite the fact that electricity is on the concurrent list.

After a determined agitation of 3 hours work stoppage per say since 29th September and a strike was begun all over Uttar Pradesh on October 5, its impact began being felt in all areas and forced the UP govt. to agree to withdraw its privatization order.

The agreement signed with 11 unions also stated that all cases lodged against all categories of employees will be withdrawn without conditions.

IFTU NC hails this struggle and achievement of UP power workers and engineers and extends to them its revolutionary greetings.

Aparna                                               B Pradeep

President                                             General Secretary

October 9, 2020