n a double whammy for Punjab, the state is bracing for severe disruptions in both healthcare and electricity services. Following a crippling strike by government doctors that has already paralyzed health services, the state's power sector is now facing its own turmoil. The electricity department employees, expressing frustration over what they deem government’s indifference, have declared a three-day strike from September 10 to 12, escalating the crisis.
The Joint Forum Punjab, the Electricity Employees Unity Forum, and the Junior Engineers Association have all voiced their discontent, accusing the State Government of failing to address their demands seriously.
Following an inconclusive meeting on September 6 between power union leaders, Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO, Punjab’s power secretary, and the department's management, employees decided to press ahead with their strike. The unions highlighted that earlier meetings, including one on July 31, also ended without any productive outcome. According to the leaders, the Punjab government is unwilling to meet any of their key demands, offering only empty promises.
The electricity employees’ grievances are multifaceted. One of the union’s major demands is to grant martyr status and provide substantial financial compensation, about Rs one crore, to employees who lose their lives while on duty.
They also seek a reduction in the promotion timeline from RTM to ALM, better pay scales, and enhanced security measures for sub-station staff. Additionally, they want the reinstatement of allowances from 2021, assurances on third-scale promotions, and recruitment for vacant positions, alongside a halt to recruitment from other states in Powercom.
The potential impact of this strike is severe. With the electricity employees going on strike, routine maintenance and emergency repairs could be severely delayed. Power faults, which typically require swift attention, may remain unresolved for extended periods, causing widespread inconvenience for consumers across the state.
The situation has reached a boiling point, with the electricity employees warning that if their demands are not met promptly, they will implement a “work-to-rule” policy until September 30. This tactic would involve adhering strictly to job descriptions and ignoring any additional duties, further straining the state’s power infrastructure.
“If no resolution is reached, we will extend ‘work-to-rule’ protest until September 30. During this time, employees will refrain from working beyond their basic duties. However, from September 10 to 12, all workers will go on mass leave, bringing power services to a halt,” said employees’ representative.
