GURUGRAM

Haryana power employees and engineers on Sunday announced a three-day strike from 10 pm on August 10 after talks with the management of power distribution and transmission companies failed to yield any assurance on their key demands.

The talks between the Haryana Electricity Employees and Engineers Joint Struggle Front -- both representing the power employees -- and the management were held at Shakti Bhawan under the chairpersonship of Additional Chief Secretary, Energy Department, Ashima Brar.

The Joint Struggle Front leaders said the management failed to provide any concrete assurance on issues including parallel distribution licences, the proposed formation of an Agri distribution company (DISCOM) and smart metering. They also said no assurance was given on the regularisation of contract workers, equal pay for equal work, risk allowance, removal of conditions imposed under the ex-gratia employment scheme and other pending demands.

According to the employees’ leaders, the management maintained that these issues fell under the purview of the State government and could only be considered by it.

The leaders further alleged that the management appeared to have backtracked from assurances given by the Power Minister during an earlier meeting with the Joint Struggle Front. With no agreement reached, the Front announced that it would go ahead with the three-day strike.

Electricity Employees Federation of India, national vice-president, Subhash Lamba, condemned the government’s and management’s approach.

Mr. Lamba said warned that any repressive or punitive action against striking employees would trigger strong nationwide protests.

The proposed creation of a separate Agri DISCOM for agricultural consumers from August 15 remains a major point of contention.

Elected Gram Panchayats from several districts -- Sonipat, Rohtak and Jhajjar -- have also opposed what they described as moves towards privatisation of the electricity sector and extended support to the employees’ strike.

Farmers have separately organised “mahapanchayats” and announced their opposition to the proposed Agri DISCOM, smart metering and parallel distribution licences.