In a significant development, a powerful coalition of farmers, labourers, and electricity sector employees has declared a united front to oppose the proposed privatisation of the power sector and the contentious Draft Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The announcement was made by Shailender Dubey, the chairperson of the All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF), following a crucial meeting held on Tuesday.
Key Decisions from the Leadership Meeting
The pivotal meeting was presided over by Dr. Darshanpal, Mohan Sharma, and Vidya Sagar Giri. It saw the participation of senior leaders from the National Coordination Committee of Electricity Employees & Engineers, the Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions, and the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM). Prominent figures including Shailendra Dubey, Sudeep Dutta, Subhash Lamba, and Krishna Bhoyur addressed the gathering.
The committee expressed grave concern over what it termed as ongoing attacks on working people and the peasantry. The discussion centred on three major issues: the push for privatisation of electricity, the installation of prepaid smart meters, and the provisions of the Draft Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The leaders specifically highlighted and condemned the attempts by the Uttar Pradesh government to privatise two power distribution companies (discoms).
A Charter of Demands
The united platform put forth a comprehensive list of demands. Their primary call is for the immediate withdrawal of the Draft Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025. They also demand the withdrawal of proposed amendments to the Atomic Energy Act and the Civil Liability of Nuclear Damage Act.
Other key demands include:
- An immediate halt to the installation of prepaid smart meters across the country.
- Withdrawal of all existing privatisation or franchisee models in power generation, transmission, and distribution.
- Cessation of the privatisation process for the two discoms in Uttar Pradesh.
- Retention of the cross-subsidy mechanism and universal service obligation to protect consumers.
- Guaranteed protection of the right to electricity for farmers and all other sections of consumers.
- Concrete steps by the government to reduce electricity tariffs nationwide.
Plan of Action: Protests and Marches
The coalition has announced a series of escalating protests to press for their demands. Thousands of electricity workers from across the country will march to Lucknow to join the collective 'jail bharo' movement initiated by UP electricity personnel against privatisation tenders. This will mark the launch of a 'satyagraha' movement.
Furthermore, the committee decided that if the amendments to the Atomic Energy Act and the Civil Liability of Nuclear Damage Act are placed before Parliament, they will organise demonstrations nationwide in response.
Shailender Dubey stated that a joint campaign, featuring massive conventions and rallies, will be organised across India in January and February 2026 to mobilise public opinion against electricity privatisation and the 2025 Bill.
In a major show of strength, electricity employees and engineers, under the banner of the National Coordination Committee of Electricity Employees & Engineers, will march to Delhi on March 18, 2026. This march is expected to see participation and solidarity from various supporting organisations, signalling a broad-based opposition to the government's power sector policies.
