27 Lakh Power Workers Rally Nationwide Against UP Privatisation Plans

(Image courtesy: CITU)

Web desk

Published on Jul 02, 2025, 06:05 PM | 3 min read

New Delhi: Around 27 lakh (2.7 million) electricity employees and engineers across India took part in a nationwide demonstration on Tuesday to protest the Uttar Pradesh government's attempt to privatise two major power distribution companies—Dakshinanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited and Purvanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited.

punjab

The protest was organised by the National Coordination Committee of Electricity Employees and Engineers (NCCOEEE). Demonstrations were held during lunch hours at electricity offices, substations, and generation plants in both central and state sectors. Participation was reported from nearly every state, from Jammu & Kashmir to Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra to Tripura. Kerala has postponed its protest to 5 July due to heavy rain.

NCCOEEE leaders have strongly criticised the Uttar Pradesh government’s move, which will affect electricity supply to consumers in 42 of the state’s 75 districts and lead to job losses and reduced accountability in the sector.

“The government is handing over public assets built with taxpayers’ money at throwaway prices,” said Sudip Dutta, a National Secretary, Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU). “This will impact service quality and push electricity beyond the reach of common people, especially in rural areas.”

UP 2

Power sector employees in Uttar Pradesh have been protesting against the privatisation attempt for the last seven months. According to NCCOEEE, they have faced pressure, threats, and even legal action for their resistance. FIRs and criminal cases have been filed against several employees.

“This is an attack on workers’ rights and democratic protest,” said Dutta. “We demand that the government immediately withdraw the cases filed against the employees.”

maharashtra

NCCOEEE has called for a national strike on 9 July 2025, and workers across the power sector are preparing to participate in large numbers. Dutta said the strike will focus not only on the situation in Uttar Pradesh but also on broader concerns about the privatisation of public power utilities across the country.

“We are not only opposing the UP government’s move but also the wider push by the Central Government to privatise power utilities through the National Monetisation Pipeline, parallel licensing, outsourcing, and the new labour codes,” he said.

Electricity

The committee has urged citizens to support the strike and join the demand for reliable, affordable, and publicly accountable electricity services.

“We request all 145 crore electricity consumers to stand with us,” Dutta said. “Privatisation will lead to higher bills and unreliable service. This affects everyone.”

NCCOEEE said that farmers, in particular, will play an important role in the upcoming strike.

“Electricity is essential for agriculture. The support of farmers will strengthen this struggle,” Dutta added.

If the government does not respond to the demands, the committee said they will intensify the protests across the country.