Maharashtra State Electricity Board : 27 Lakh Electricity Employees Across the State to Go on Strike Today; Impact on Services?
Against the proposed Electricity Act (Amendment) 2025 by the central government, privatization of public electricity companies, and the National Electricity Policy 2026, about 2.7 million electricity employees, engineers, and contract workers across the country are going on a nationwide strike today (February 12). In this context, various organizations in Maharashtra have also completed preparations for the protest, and it is expected that there may be some impact on electricity services.
According to the All India Federation of Electricity Employees, the strike has been organized through the 'National Coordination Committee' of the country's major 10 trade unions, independent federations, United Farmers Front, various political parties, and seven major organizations in the electricity industry. The central government is accused by the organizations of preparing to privatize 44 public electricity companies and proposing to grant franchises and parallel licenses in the profitable electricity distribution sector.
Organizations claim that privatization could significantly increase electricity rates. Additionally, the electricity subsidy given to farmers will be at risk. It has also been warned that the plan to install millions of smart prepaid meters will impose a significant financial burden on companies. They also noted that political interference and increasing arrears are further deteriorating the financial condition of electricity companies.
In Maharashtra, the Maharashtra State Electricity Workers Federation along with other cooperative organizations have declared support for this strike. Statewide, there will be gate meetings, demonstrations, and protests with black ribbons. However, Federation President Comrade Mohan Sharma and General Secretary Comrade Krishna Bhoyar have urged employees to ensure that electricity consumers are not inconvenienced. It has been indicated that some employees will remain operational to maintain essential services smoothly.
Meanwhile, the political atmosphere has heated up on this issue. Congress state spokesperson Atul Londhe has criticized the Mahayuti government's stance and expressed the possibility of a 16% increase in electricity rates. Congress has demanded that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis clarify his position on the promise of providing cheap electricity. Against this backdrop, everyone is watching how smooth the power supply remains in the state, how effective the strike proves to be, and what stance the government takes on this.