Power consumers may be hit in Karnataka as 60,000 staffers call for strike from Thursday

BENGALURU: Power supply may be disrupted across Karnataka notwithstanding its surplus status as 60,000 employees of Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) and five electricity supply companies (Escoms) are slated to go on an indefinite strike from Thursday seeking wage revision.
While the strike-bound KPTCL Employees' Association and Federation has promised there won't be any disruption in power supply, staffers will not be around to attend calls and complaints from customers about any technical glitches.
RH Lakshmipathi, president of the federation, said, "We had issued a notice to the management about the strike 14 days in advance, seeking revision of salary and other demands. However, there is no response even 12 days after serving the notice. Hence, we have decided to abstain from work from Thursday. Unlike other unions, we won't come onto the streets shouting slogans, holding rallies or submitting a memorandum. Instead, all of us will stay at home and abstain from work till our demands are met."
According to the office-bearers, the federation represents 60,000 working employees and 45,000 retired staffers, ranging from powerman (linemen) to technical engineers at various levels. "We have been seeking wage revision since April 2022. Going by the previous decision, our salaries should have been hiked by 22%. The proposal was even approved by the KPTCL board. However, the government has kept it pending till date. It appears that the government will listen to you only if you stage a protest. It has been considerate of other employees but not us," said K Balaram, general secretary of the union and federation.
Balaram clarified there won't be any disruption. "We don't want to trouble citizens by disrupting power supply. However, we won't be available to address consumers' problems in case of any technical glitches or disruptions. But we will continue to serve hospitals/medical establishments and water supply installations with technical services as citizens should not be affected. Barring these two, we will not serve any other sector in case of a technical glitch."
Interestingly, a high-level committee headed by IAS officer (retd) G Gurucharan had also recommended that any reforms in the energy sector are only as good as the employees are. "Energetic and enthusiastic employees are key to the financial and operational success of Escoms," the committee had said.
Energy minister V Sunil Kumar did not respond to calls, messages from TOI.