The AP State Electricity Employees Joint Action Committee (APSEE JAC) has decided to hold mass protests against the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2022 in corporate offices, circle headquarters and power projects of state power utilities on 8 August. On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Quit India Movement.
According to an action plan issued by the National Coordination Committee of Electricity Employees and Engineers (NCCOEEE), it has also been decided to stay away from work on the same day when the bill is passed.
The JAC on Saturday issued a notice to this effect to Special Chief Secretary (Energy) K Vijayanand.
JAC office-bearers P Chandrasekhar (Chairman), P Pratap Reddy (Secretary General) and B Sai Krishna (Convenor) said in a joint statement that the Ministry of Power did not consult NCCOEEE during the process of drafting the Bill. ,
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It had given written assurances to the United Kisan Morcha that the Bill would not be processed without stakeholder consultation, but had not taken them into confidence either.
Thus, the Government of India made it clear its intention to introduce the Bill in the current session of Parliament without talking to the stakeholders.
A national conference held on 2 August urged employees and engineers to oppose the privatization policy being implemented under different names.
Accordingly, JAC has decided to fight against the Bill stating that it is not only harmful to the power sector employees and engineers but also to the consumers.