Meerut: Power sector employees in Meerut zone have threatened a strike against the state government’s proposed plan to privatize its power distributor Purvanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam (PuVVNL), which supplies electricity in eastern UP. The strike in western UP districts stems from the fear that Paschimanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd (AVVNL), the discom which supplies electricity in the
region, may also be privatized. A large number of power corporation employees participated in a symbolic strike at the headquarters of PVVNL in Meerut on Monday, announcing a tough
stance on the issue in the coming days.
Senior officials said the agitation will take place between September 25 and October 2. It will start with a presentation of memorandum to all MPs, MLAs. And if the privatization doesn’t stop, an agitation will be launched “If even a single step is taken by the government in the direction of privatization of the discom, we (power corporation contractors, junior engineers and engineers) will initiate a full-fledged strike, and then senior management and the state government will be responsible for the consequences. We urge the chief minister to consider us also Covid-19 warriors, repose faith on us and terminate this plan of privatization of the eastern UP discom,” said Shailender Dubey, convenor, Vidyut Karmchaari Sanyukt Sangharsh Samiti—a workers’ union.
Notably, the UP government had given its approval for the disbanding and privatization of the PuVVNL, one of the five power distribution companies under UP Power Corporation Ltd (UPPCL), in July this year.
