Power Sector Employees Rally Support from Seven Political Parties Against Electricity Bill 2025
In a significant show of solidarity, power sector employees and engineers received robust backing from seven major political parties during a National Convention Opposing the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2025. The event was held at the Constitution Club in New Delhi on Thursday, drawing attention to widespread concerns over the proposed legislation.
Convention Highlights and Political Participation
The convention was meticulously organized by the National Coordination Committee of Electricity Employees and Engineers (NCCOEEE), attracting a diverse group of political representatives. A total of 11 Members of Parliament from various parties, along with two former MPs, attended the gathering, underscoring the cross-party interest in the issue.
V K Gupta, a spokesperson for the organizers, revealed that the participating political parties included the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), Communist Party of India (CPI), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and the Indian National Congress (INC). This broad coalition highlights the bipartisan nature of the opposition to the bill.
Detailed Presentations and Concerns Raised
During the convention, Shailendra Dubey, Chairman of the All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF), delivered a comprehensive briefing to the attending MPs. He outlined the potential adverse impacts of the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2025, emphasizing how it could disproportionately affect poor consumers, farmers, electricity employees, and the general public. Dubey argued that the bill favors large corporations at the expense of state Discoms and vulnerable groups.
Adding to the critique, NCCOEEE convener Sudip Datta presented a detailed PowerPoint presentation against the EA Bill. His analysis focused on the economic and social ramifications, suggesting that the legislation could lead to increased costs and reduced access to electricity for marginalized communities.
Political Opposition and Future Actions
All the MPs in attendance openly expressed their opposition to the Electricity Bill 2025, according to statements from the federation. They assured the gathering that they would strongly oppose the bill when it is presented in Parliament. The consensus among the political representatives was that the bill is detrimental to common consumers and farmers, primarily benefiting big corporations who could profit without significant investment, thereby undermining state Discoms.
P Rathnakar Rao, Secretary General of AIPEF, concluded the seminar with a passionate appeal to continue resisting the EA Bill. He announced that AIPEF and other federations of power employees across the country will persist in raising public awareness and intensifying their struggle against what they describe as an anti-people legislation.
Broader Context and Implications
This convention comes at a critical time as debates over energy policy and privatization gain momentum in India. The involvement of multiple political parties signals a growing resistance to reforms perceived as favoring corporate interests over public welfare. The power sector employees' movement aims to galvanize broader public support and influence legislative outcomes through sustained advocacy and mobilization efforts.
