Maharashtra electricity workers held demonstrations across the state denial of bonus and against the ongoing privatization of power companies

Press Statement of Maharashtra State Electricity Employees, Engineers, and Officers Action Committee

Press Statement

Mumbai, May 14, 2026

Statewide Demonstrations on 14 May against the Denial of Bonuses/Ex-Gratia Payments to 86,000 Electricity Employees and against the Ongoing Privatization of Power Companies

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For years, 86,000 employees—including workers, engineers, officers, and support staff—working across the generation, transmission, and distribution companies formed from the erstwhile Maharashtra State Electricity Board were regularly granted a bonus during the Diwali festival. However, this year, the bonus was withheld in retaliation for the trade unions’ decision to observe a strike opposing the ongoing privatization efforts. Consequently, deep resentment has arisen among electricity employees throughout the state. In protest against this move, 16 major unions representing the power sector launched a statewide agitation, staging massive gate meetings and demonstrations to register their strong opposition to the government and the administration.

The Maharashtra Government and the administration were strongly condemned through massive gate meetings and demonstrations—attended by thousands of employees—held outside power generation stations, substations, zones, circles, and divisional offices.

These protests were organized to press for various demands, including:

the payment of bonuses and ex-gratia grants;

halting the privatization of the three power companies (via Franchisee or Parallel Licensee models);

increasing the limit for TBCB (Tariff Based Competitive Bidding) projects within the distressed company;

enhancing the installed capacity of the generation company (Mahanirmiti);

stopping the privatization of hydroelectric power stations;

opposing the proposed Electricity Act of 2025;

creating a separate agricultural company by unbundling the distribution company (Mahavitaran); and—specifically—

condemning the administration for failing to take labor unions into confidence while making decisions regarding these matters and the potential listing of Mahavitaran on the stock market.

Further demands included:

implementing the pension scheme approved by the Maharashtra Government;

reimbursing the salary deducted for October 10th following the one-day strike held on October 9th;

sanctioning posts for machine operators at the 329 substations approved after April 1, 2019; and

revoking notices issued regarding one-third salary deductions and disciplinary action against employees who returned their SIM cards during the agitation.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of the employees, the generation company has earned a profit of ₹100 crore (plus an additional ₹160 crore in other income), the distribution company (Mahavitaran) has earned ₹478 crore, and the transmission company (Mahapareshan) has earned ₹1,100 crore in profits. The employees have successfully reduced outstanding arrears from ₹2,400 crore down to ₹1,800 crore. Furthermore, the employees have achieved success in significantly reducing distribution losses.

All three power companies have received numerous national and international awards for their exemplary performance. However, given that the management has been evading the issue of granting bonuses to employees despite this excellent performance—and taking into account the resulting anger and frustration among the workforce—members of the 16 unions participating in the Action Committee organized this agitation.

Hon. Devendraji Fadnavis—the Chief Minister and Energy Minister—was urged to immediately convene a meeting regarding these pending issues and to resolve them through dialogue. The Action Committee has issued an appeal to resolve this matter.

Yours Sincerely,

Maharashtra State Electricity Employees, Engineers, and Officers Action Committee

Names of Organizations Participating in the Agitation

1) Maharashtra State Electricity Workers Federation (AITUC)

2) Maharashtra Electricity Workers Federation (BMS)

3) Subordinate Engineers Association (AIPEF)

4) Maharashtra State Electricity Workers Congress (INTUC)

5) Maharashtra State Backward Classes Electricity Employees Organization

6) Maharashtra State Swabhimani Electricity Workers Union

7) Technical Workers Union (5059)

8) Maharashtra State National Electricity Workers Federation (INTUC)

9) Graduate Engineers Association (GEA)