Report of Kamgar Ekta Committee (KEC) correspondent
On the call of the Sanyukta Kisan Morcha, Uttar Pradesh, on 27 April 2026, farmers held a massive demonstration in Lucknow and raised the following demands:
- Withdraw the smart meter scheme
- Immediately stop the process of privatizing electricity
- Provide compensation for crops destroyed by unseasonal rains
- Accept the legitimate demands of workers in Noida and other areas
- Stop police repression against protesting workers immediately
Farmers declared that the state government’s electricity policy is completely anti-people. Because of this policy, the economic burden on farmers, laborers and common consumers is continuously increasing.
The farmers warned that if the government does not take a positive decision on these demands soon, a massive and phased movement will be launched across the state, for which the government and administration will be fully responsible.
Addressing the farmers, Er. Shailendra Dubey, convener of the Vidyut Karmachari Sanyukt Sangharsh Samiti, said that power employees in the state have been agitating against the privatization of electricity for over 500 days. He stated that this struggle is not just for employees, it is also for the interests of farmers, working people, and ordinary consumers.
He clearly stated that if the power system is handed over to private companies, power tariffs will increase massively, putting electricity out of reach of rural and poor consumers. Therefore, all sections of society must unite to oppose this policy.
The leader of the Annadata Kisan Union said that today’s protest symbolizes the unity of farmers, workers, and employees. This struggle is not just for one class, but for the protection of the rights and resources of the general public. This unity will be further strengthened in the time to come.
Leaders of the Krantikari Kisan Union said that the prepaid smart meter scheme has proven to be a complete failure in the state. Instead of providing relief to consumers, it has imposed an unnecessary financial burden. Consumers are facing numerous technical problems.
Farmers demanded that the government immediately end this scheme and restore the earlier postpaid and simple metering system.
A large number of farmers and workers participated in the program.