NATIONAL COORDINATION COMMITTEE OF ELECTRICITY EMPLOYEES & ENGINEERS

                                                                                                                        17.5.05

PRESS-STATEMENT

Sub: Withdrawal of strike

 

Today  a delegation of the powermen (National Coordination Committee of Electricity Employees and Engineers) met the Power Minister, Govt. of India, at Shramshakti Bhawan, New Delhi consisting of  Com. E. Balanandan, B.S. Meel(Electricity Employees Federation of India) Com. A.B. Bardhan, Himanshu, Chakradhar P Singh, Mohan Sharma (All India Federation of Electricity Employees) Er. Shailendra Dubey, M.S. Bajwa & Sunil Grover (All India Power Engineers Federation) Er.S.D. Kushwaha, H.N. Mishra (All India Power Diploma Engineers Federation) Shri. Akhtar Hussain (Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyut Mazdoor Sangh) and Er. K. Ashok Rao( National working Group on Power Sector). Besides the power minister Mr. P.M. Sayeed the  government side was represented by Shri R.V. Shahi, Secretary, Power, Ajay Shankar, Addl. Secretary.

 The subject matter was review of the Electricity Act 2003 against which 2 days national strike was proposed by  Powermen on 31^st May & 1^st June 2005.  The delegation stated to the minister strong concerns on the following issues of the Electricity Act:2003,pending review in the last meeting on 2^nd May’05  and the Govt. of India demanded  15 days period to study the presentations by delegation of NCCOEEE and stated that will revert back on 17^th May’05:

a)       Unbundling of SEBs

b)      Central Government’s role in rural electrification to address the issue of urban-rural divide;

c)       The word “elimination of Cross subsidy” would need to be reviewed; and

d)      Extension of date for reorganization of SEBs

               After detailed discussion the Government of India and NCCOEEE reached the following conclusions.

 1.         Government would consider taking suitable steps to address the concerns regarding the provision of elimination of cross-subsidies in the Act though in the opinion of the Government this issue has already been adequately addressed in the Electricity Policy.  Suitable amendment in the Act would be considered.

2.       Centre’s role in the rural electrification activities would be suitably provided through an amendment in the Act.

3.       In accordance with provision of Section 172(a) of the Electricity Act, the date shall be extended for a period of 6 months beyond 9^th June, 2005.

4.       During the next six months, the government of India shall continue the process of review of the provisions related to reoganisation/restructuring of SEBs in the Electricity Act, 2003 based on the status and impact of its implementation so far.

 Therefore NCCOEEE delegation held a meeting at 315, V.P. House at 3.30 PM and considered the government’s written assurance as above and decided to withdraw the proposed strike on 31^st May & 1^st June’05.

 The Electricity Employees and Engineers who were agitating against the Electricity Act:2003 have been congratulated and thanked by National Coordination Committee of Electricity Employees and Engineers for their support and called upon the powermen  to be vigil regarding implementation of the government’s assurances. Electricity employees has to mount  a continuous pressure on the government to implement it’s assurance, and therefore an awareness campaign should be on their agenda to attract the attention of people towards the adverse impacts of the Act.

 

                                                                                                (B.S. MEEL)

                                                                                                              Convenor