Shimla, December 31, 2024
The Joint Front of Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (HPSEB) Employees and Engineers staged a protest during the lunch break today across the state, opposing the privatization of the Chandigarh electricity department. In Shimla, hundreds of employees and engineers gathered outside the Board Headquarters at Kumar House to express their concerns.
Speaking at the protest, Joint Front Convenor E. Lokesh Thakur criticized the Central Government’s decision to privatize the Chandigarh electricity department, stating that it was sold to Eminent Company in 2021 for just Rs 871 crore. He also raised concerns about similar privatization efforts in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, where tenders have already been floated.
Joint Front Co-convener Heera Lal Verma said, “An hour-long dharna was staged at approximately 63 electricity offices across the state as part of the national-level protest called by NCCOEEE (National Coordination Committee of Electricity Employees and Engineers). A memorandum opposing the privatization of electricity departments was sent to the President of India through the Governor of Himachal Pradesh.”
Verma also criticized the delay in implementing the old pension scheme in the electricity board, calling it “unfortunate,” and demanded immediate recruitment to ensure efficient service delivery to consumers. He further urged the state government to reinstate 81 outsourced drivers whose services were terminated and to restore 51 abolished engineering posts.
