Over 22,000 power employees in IIOJK observe strike today
Srinagar: Over 22,000 power employees across Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir are observing a one-day strike today as part of a widespread protest against the proposed Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2025.
According to Kashmir Media Service, employees leader Engneer Pirzada Hidayatullah said that power employees in IIOJK are observing the strike in opposition to the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the increasing push towards privatisation in generation, transmission and distribution sectors.
The employees leaders contend that privatisation of distribution, generation and transmission could adversely affect poor consumers, small and medium industries and the general public by leading to higher tariffs and reduced accountability.
Power employees in various districts of Jammu and Kashmir are staging demonstrations and protests as part of the strike.
The strike call has been given by the All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF), with nearly 27 lakh (2.7 million) electricity employees and engineers across India participating in the coordinated work stoppage.
AIPEF Chairman Shailendra Dubey, addressing media in New Delhi said the protest is aimed at resisting what he described as an aggressive move towards privatisation, including through the Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) route. He warned that such policies could weaken public sector utilities and undermine job security.
For the first time, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha and ten Trade Unions are extending support to the strike, joining in solidarity with power employees.
The leaders say that the participation of engineers, workers and farmers has made today’s action one of the largest industrial mobilisations in recent years.
Among the key demands raised are the withdrawal of the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the proposed National Electricity Policy 2026. The federation is also demanding a halt to large-scale outsourcing in the power sector, filling of vacant posts through direct recruitment, regularisation of outsourced workers, and restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for employees.
