Appeal of Bareilly Trade Unions Federation to the citizens of Uttar Pradesh
(English translation of Hindi leaflet)
Respected citizens of Uttar Pradesh,
The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to privatise electricity distribution in the state. We are presenting some points about this here:
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- Employees and officers in this sector are opposing privatisation, but this does not mean that privatisation will hurt only them. The government has clearly said that employees’ jobs will not be affected. Even then, employees are opposing privatisation because they know how it will affect the people.
- Electricity is something we have to buy. Electricity rates are the highest in places where electricity distribution has been privatised, such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad.
- There are two companies in Mumbai (that is, there is competition), yet electricity has not become cheap.
- In Mumbai, electricity has become almost twice as expensive for consumers of less than 300 units.
- After privatisation, new meters were installed. These meters show 1.5 to 2 times the actual bill.
- Because of privatisation, bills of Rs. 400-500 have increased to 1000s of rupees.
- Companies send hired goons to collect bill payments from consumers.
- In the case of any complaint, consumers have to pay the full bill first, regardless of whether their complaint will be resolved.
- There are also many issues in electricity supply.
- Electricity is a fundamental need. If electricity becomes expensive, this will trouble us all.
- We have all experienced the plunder that comes with privatisation, whether it is the privatisation of schools, hospitals, domestic pipeline gas, etc.
- After the privatisation of this electricity department, whoever has jobs might continue to have them. However, none of our or your children will be recruited in this department in the future or receive pension from it.
We appeal to you to oppose the privatisation of a fundamental necessity like electricity. Do not let it fall into the clutches of a few companies.
Remember that whoever wants to implement privatisation and whoever profits from it will say that privatisation is in the interest of the public, but we have to understand the reality.
We hope that you will pay attention to this issue because you have earned your money through tremendous hard work. Please share this leaflet with your contacts (through social media as well).
Bareilly Trade Unions Federation