Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) Employees’ Union has opposed the Centre’s move to privatise state power distribution companies.
HL Verma, secretary of the HPSEBL Employees’ Union, said: “The Power Ministry has issued a Standard Bidding Document (SBD) for privatisation of power distribution activities across the nation, including that of profit-making companies.”
The union said it was for the first time that the Centre had drafted a guiding SBD for privatisation of distribution companies, which would be a guiding document for the states looking to offer its distribution company to private players.
The union further alleged that until last year, the Power Ministry had been suggesting private franchisee models with an option of partial privatisation, but now it had proposed 100 per cent privatisation of Discoms to private players.
“We strongly oppose the proactive role of the Ministry of Power in privatising distribution companies. HPSEBL is performing well, providing best services to its consumers at affordable prices and making profit from the past three financial years,” said Verma.
“Its privatisation will have direct impact on consumers and there will be a sharp increase in tariff, especially for domestic consumers,” he added.
