Power engrs protest proposed Electricity Bill, plan strike on March 10

Dehradun: The All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) on Saturday protested against the proposed Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which is likely to be tabled in Parliament during the ongoing Budget Session.At a meeting held in Dehradun on Saturday, the federation said it would hold a nationwide strike on March 10 in protest against the proposed legislation.Addressing the media, AIPEF chairperson Shailendra Dubey alleged that despite objections submitted by stakeholders – including power sector employees, engineers, farmers' organisations and consumer groups – the Centre appeared to be "pushing the Bill without proper discussion and democratic consultation"."When views were invited on the proposed amendments, it was the responsibility of the govt to transparently disclose how those objections were examined and addressed. Ignoring these objections and rushing the legislation undermines the democratic process. If passed, the Bill will open doors to further privatisation in the power sector, which is not in the public interest," Dubey said. He added that such policies would weaken the public electricity system and adversely affect electricity employees, farmers and consumers.The federation also opposed the Uttarakhand govt's decision to transfer 76.7 hectares of land belonging to hydel power projects of Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited at Dakpathar and Dhalipur through the Uttarakhand Infrastructure and Industrial Development Board for allocation to the private sector."Diversion of land meant for strategic hydel projects will seriously affect the development of important projects such as Lakhwar, Kishau and other Yamuna basin hydel projects and will be strongly resisted. We are also opposing similar action by the Punjab govt in selling power sector land and victimising office-bearers who are raising objections," Dubey said.