Press Release of Electricity Employees Federation of India (EEFI)
Press Release
26th January 2025
Chandigarh Struggling Electricity Employees took oath to Protect Constitution, Resist Privatisation – on this Republic Day
Electricity Employees Federation of India (EEFI) salutes the indomitable spirit of the Electricity Employees of Chandigarh for their consistent heroic struggle against the privatization attempt of their public power utility. The highly profitable, low tariff Chandigarh Power utility is in the process of privatization in throw away prices by the UT administration.
The Chandigarh electricity employees under the banner of EEFI and its constituent UT Powermen Union are demonstrating for the last 47 days in their workplaces and divisional offices. With great consistency, their family members, elderly people, women and children are organizing rallies everyday covering all the sectors of Chandigarh and educating the masses about the ill effects of privatization. They have reached lakhs of people; and everywhere the people are coming in huge numbers and participating in the rallies. During the rallies, public speeches are made at several points, where citizens of different social strata are speaking spontaneously against this privatization attempt.
To heighten the struggle, the people of Chandigarh has formed an anti-privatization forum; it is represented by several village committees, resident welfare associations, independent women organizations, Gurudwara committees, kisan and youth organizations. Most inspiringly, the entire mass campaign is led by the women. They have arranged a bus permanently for their commutation and reaching out to newer areas for expanding the campaign. Many other issues are also emerging in their interactions with the common people.
The UT Powermen Union had decided to reach to the people and collect one-lakh signature against this privatization project. Already they have collected more than 20,000 signatures and today they submitted it with a memorandum to the Administrator of Chandigarh.
The employees took the occasion of our Republic Day to further cement their commitment for struggle against this privatization process. The meeting discussed the social philosophy enshrined in the constitution and the doctrine of the “basic structure” of the Constitution enunciated by the Hon’ble Supreme Court. The public sector was formed under in the directive principles of state policy of our Constitution and is an essential instrument for achieving a welfare State in India. The privatization process is nothing but establishing private monopoly in these strategic sectors which will impact heavily upon the people and the energy security of our country.
The employees gathered in thousands with their family members in the Electricity Colony of Chandigarh and with the hoisting of the National Flag took the oath to protect the public electricity utility till their last breath. From this meeting, they announced to organize one-week day-long relay Dharnas in front of all the divisional electricity offices of Chandigarh. They warned the UT Administration that further escalation of the privatization process will compel them to go for indefinite Strike for which the Central government and its caretakers of UT will be solely responsible.
Meanwhile, the anti-privatization committee has announced to mobilize thousands of people on 31st January 2025 against the Privatization. Electricity employees under the banner of EEFI will demonstrate all across the country on 31st January 2025 to support and extend solidarity to the struggling Chandigarh Power employees.
The struggle has resisted the private bidder to deposit the money for 2 months. 31st January 2025 is the third time extended day of deposition of money and the rally will assure that, even if the company deposit the money, they will not be allowed to take over the utility. The battle is very tough but people are getting united and determined. Chandigarh is not going to be a smooth field of privatisation for the Modi government.
Issued By
Prasanta N. Chowdhury
General Secretary, EEFI