Report by Kamgar Ekta Committee (KEC) correspondent
16 farmers’ organizations of the country have announced the support to the movement of electricity employees of Uttar Pradesh against the privatization of Purvanchal and Dakshinanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam. All these organizations will protest against privatization in every district of UP on June 4 in support of the movement.
About 30 farmer leaders of Krantikari Kisan Union, Kisan Sangharsh Samiti, Kisan Mazdoor Parishad, All India Kisan Federation, All India Krantikari Kisan Sabha, Kisan Ekta Kendra, Kisan Vikas Manch, Krantikari Kisan Manch, Bharatiya Kisan Sangathan, Bharatiya Kisan Union, Shramik Janshakti Union, Socialist Kisan Sabha, Krishi Bhumi Bachao Morcha, Khet Mazdoor Kisan Sangharsh Samiti and Inquilabi Mazdoor Kendra participated in the meeting held on June 1 to organize the protest.
The main demands of the farmers’ organizations include:
- Take back the decision of privatization;
- Withdraw the proposal to increase electricity rates;
- Cancel the Smart Pre-paid Meter Scheme;
- Provide 300 units/month of free electricity to farmers.
Farmer organizations have said that if any repressive action is taken against any electricity employee opposing privatization, then farmers’ organizations will strongly protest against it widely.