Employees protest Chandigarh power privatisation

Chandigarh, January 24

The UT Powermen Union today held a protest at Sector 17 against the decision of the Central Government to hand over the UT Electricity Department to a private company.

Employees submitted a memorandum to the UT Administrator against the move to privatise electricity distribution. The memorandum was received by the SDM (East) on behalf of the UT Administrator.

Gopal Joshi, general secretary of the union, said due to the adamant attitude of the government, the employees would observe a one-day strike on February 1 followed by a two-day strike on February 23 and 24.

The High Court, on January 20, had sought a response from the UT on a fresh plea moved by the union seeking a stay on further steps in handing over of power services to a private company. The next date of hearing is March 6. —