A sweeping strike by over 2.7 million power sector employees across India is scheduled for July 9, protesting the Uttar Pradesh government’s plan to privatise two major electricity distribution companies (discoms). The move targets Purvanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd (PVVNL) and Dakshinanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd (DVVNL), which collectively serve 42 of the state’s 75 districts. Workers and union leaders allege collusion between government officials and private entities aiming to sell discom assets at undervalued prices. Ahead of the strike, nationwide demonstrations are planned to voice opposition and warn of potential disruptions to electricity supply.
Background: Uttar Pradesh Discom Privatisation Sparks Controversy
The Uttar Pradesh government has initiated plans to privatise two of its key power distribution companies—Purvanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd (PVVNL) and Dakshinanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd (DVVNL). These discoms are critical, covering 42 out of the state’s 75 districts and serving millions of consumers.
According to Shailendra Dubey, Chairman of the All India Power Engineers' Federation (AIPEF), this decision is alarming and threatens the public ownership of vital infrastructure. Dubey accuses Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd (UPPCL) and certain senior government officials of colluding with select private firms to sell off assets valued in the range of several thousand crores at negligible prices.
Strike and Demonstration Plans: Nationwide Impact Expected
In response, AIPEF has announced that over 27 lakh (2.7 million) power sector employees across India will undertake a one-day nationwide strike on July 9, targeting the proposed privatisation initiative. The federation warns that this industrial action may disrupt electricity supply in various parts of the country, potentially affecting households and businesses alike.
Ahead of the strike, a series of demonstrations will be conducted on July 2 in major cities such as Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Vijayawada, Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Nagpur, Raipur, Bhopal, Jabalpur, Vadodara, Rajkot, Guwahati, Shillong, Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Patna, Ranchi, Srinagar, Jammu, Shimla, Dehradun, Patiala, Jaipur, Kota, Hisar, and Lucknow. These protests aim to send a strong message to policymakers about workers' staunch opposition to discom privatisation.
Allegations of Undervalued Asset Sales and Public Backlash
The privatisation plan has ignited significant concern among power sector workers and stakeholders who view it as a detrimental move that prioritises private profits over public interest. Dubey’s allegations suggest a covert arrangement to offload public assets worth thousands of crores at prices far below their true value, undermining the state’s energy infrastructure and compromising the livelihoods of power sector employees.
Such large-scale privatisation efforts are often contentious in India’s energy sector, raising questions about transparency, accountability, and the long-term impact on electricity access and tariffs. The looming strike underscores these apprehensions and highlights the critical role of labour unions in advocating for workers’ rights and safeguarding public utilities.
Conclusion: The Road Ahead for Uttar Pradesh’s Power Sector
As the July 9 strike approaches, the Uttar Pradesh government faces mounting pressure to reconsider or revise its privatisation strategy for PVVNL and DVVNL. The coordinated national response from power workers signals widespread resistance to the move and raises concerns about operational stability in the power distribution sector.
The forthcoming demonstrations and strike will be closely watched by policymakers, investors, and consumers alike, as they hold implications not only for Uttar Pradesh’s power landscape but also for broader debates on privatisation and public sector reform in India.
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