In a strong show of resistance against the central government’s privatisation push, as many as 27 lakh electricity sector workers and engineers have announced plans for two major strike actions in the coming months.

The first, a sector-wide strike on June 26, 2025, is being described as the “biggest ever” in recent decades, while the second will see power sector employees joining a nationwide strike in May led by central trade unions against the implementation of the four labour codes.

The decisions were taken at the National Convention of the Electricity Employees and Engineers, held on Sunday (February 23) in Nagpur and organised by the Electricity Employees Federation of India (EEFI).

According to a press release issued by EEFI, the convention focused on the growing attacks on the public electricity sector, energy security, and the democratic rights of power sector workers and consumers, particularly in Uttar Pradesh.

Privatisation Push and Resistance

EEFI accused the NDA government, now in its third consecutive term, of aggressively moving forward with the privatisation of public electricity utilities. It cited the controversial privatisation of Chandigarh’s highly profitable power utility as a case in point, alleging that it was done irregularly and forcefully.

The organisation also highlighted attempts to privatise the Purvanchal Vidyut Vitaran Nigam Ltd. (PVVNL) and Dakshinanchal Vidyut Vitaran Nigam Ltd. (DVVNL) in Uttar Pradesh, which could threaten the livelihoods of 27,000 employees and engineers, along with 50,000 contract workers.

Notably, electricity workers in Uttar Pradesh have been protesting against these moves for the past 87 days, despite what EEFI termed as “instigations and attacks” by the state administration.

In Rajasthan, the state government has initiated a bidding process to privatise power generation and battery storage projects, while in Telangana, the government plans to hand over the South Hyderabad electricity distribution service to the Adani Group.

Government’s Privatization Drive

EEFI also flagged a February 20, 2025, regional meeting convened by the Power Ministry in New Delhi, which saw participation from Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.

According to a government press release, state governments urged the Centre for support in privatising electricity distribution, and discussions included listing state utilities to attract investment.

As part of its broader strategy, the Centre has formed a Group of Ministers, with Uttar Pradesh’s Energy Minister as the convenor, to accelerate privatisation efforts.

EEFI warned that the Electricity Amendment Bill, currently being drafted, would mark the final push to dismantle the public electricity sector—an action it described as a threat to India’s federal structure and food security.

Nationwide Mobilisation and Strike Preparations

The June 26 strike has already received backing from central trade unions and the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), which has long opposed the Electricity Bill. EEFI announced that in preparation for the strike, it would organise regional meetings and state-level mass conventions.

Four massive rallies are scheduled in Uttar Pradesh in March 2025 to oppose the state government’s privatisation attempts.

Calling upon all power sector employees and consumers to unite and resist the privatisation drive, EEFI urged them to ensure the upcoming strike actions are a resounding success.