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VOICE OF ELECTRICITY WORKERS
REPORT FROM THE STATES
ASSAM
ASEB has been declared unbundled on last December 10th. It was on
the pretext that unbundling of the Electricity Boards are mandatory. But Section
131 of the Electricity Act 2003 clearly speaks tht it can be kept as a single
entity, if the state government decides so. A typical living example of
transformation in to a single entity is “Tripura Electricity Corporation” which
is doing generation transmission, distribution and trading. So it is clear that
the d3cision to unbundled the electricity boards is based on the prescription of
Asian Development Bank (ADB) which is pressing their client state governments to
privatize their power sector.
The present scenario of power sector of Assam is worse. Even though there were
significant growth in Indian power sector till the end of 7th plan, when
compared to the GDP, the growth in Assam was at a slow pace. The political
parties come to power in Assam till date was ignoring the development of power
sector. So the per captia consumption remained at 125 units while the national
per capita consumption is 355 units. The percentage of rural households
unelectrified is 85%, which is the highest in the country. Number of consumers
are only 10 lakhs while the population is 2.75 crores which cannot be compared
with that of Kerala where the consumer strength is 74 lakhs while the population
is almost equal to that of Assam. Even though the installed capacity of ASEB is
572 MW and hold an entitlement of 440 MW as central share, the system is
inadequate to meet even a peak load of 580 MW and the SEB is resorting to load
shedding often.
The position is going to be worst in coming days, consequent to the unbundling
of the ASEB implementation of Electricity Act 2003 and the power policy
announced on the 3rd February. If Electricity Act 2003 is the legal frame work
of the policy pursued by Govt. of India for the last one and a half decade, the
new power policy announced is only a foot tailor made to suit that boot. The
real objective of the above act and the policy is total privatisation of power
industry and market driven pricing of energy. This will be detrimental to the
growth of industry, agriculture, rural electrification and ultimately
development of our country. The national and international experiences confirms
with this.
Section 46 of the act provides for collecting all the cost of construction of
the lines installation of transformers etc from those who apply for getting
electric connection. Even before implementation of the act this is a measure
which was pressurized by World Bank, to be implemented. So the Assam government
implemented it about 5-6 years ago. So how a common man get a power connection
bearing this huge expenditure, especially the rural folk? Moreover, Section 61 &
62 provides for reduction and elimination of cross subsidy and insisting a
tariff reflecting `cost of serve’ indiscriminately. There will not be any
discrimination between the rich and the poor; no discrimination between
agriculture, domestic and industrial consumers etc. The `cost to serve’ power
thro’ and LT system in Assam will be more than Rs.6/- if we calculate the tariff
based on the regulation issued by CERC – terms and conditions of tariff – which
is normally followed by all state electricity regulatory commissions, including
that one in Assam. The unbundling of electricity board set again an upward trend
in retail tariff due to (1) the evaluation of Assets based on market value (2)
increase in establishment charges consequent to the formation of new entities by
unbundling. So all the consumers paying below Rs.6/- - will be forced to pay
more than Rs.6/- unit of energy as tariff with in a short period, consequent to
the so called reforms carried out in power sector. The APDRP fund granted by
Govt. of India (which is actually the fund from international agencies) and the
ADB fund received by Govt. of Assam is being ultilized for purchase of computers
and software from Microsoft, purchase of meters to replace the existing urban
meters and to pay for international consultants like Price Water house Coopers.
This is as per the memorandum of understanding between the Govt. of India and
Govt. of Assam and ASEB. These funds are not utilised for rejuvenating the
idling thermal plants and to augment the capacity of the transmission and
distribution system which could have increased the power generation and reduced
the T&D loss and concomitant reduction in cost of supply. Electricity employees
federation of India vehemently oppose these and want to review the electricity
act. We are in struggle and preparing for more powerful and protracted struggle
to achieve this goal, including in Assam.
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Kerala – KSEB Officers Association
EEFI activities
The State convention of EEFI was held on 25.2.05 at Ernakulam. Activists of KSEB
Officers’ Association and KSEB Workers’ Association participated in the
convention. Around 145 activists participated in the convention, out of which 55
were from our association. The convention was inaugurated by Com. E. Balanandan.
NCCOEEE activities
The state committee of NCCOEEE met on 26.2.05 and charted out the activities in
the State. Unfortunately KSEB Engineers’ Association, an affiliate of AIPEF did
not attended the meeting and the action programmes called by NCCOEEE. They have
even gone to the extent of openly welcoming the Electricity Act 2003 with an aim
of placating the ruling front in Kerala.
Telegrams/fax message to Chief Ministers
Telegrams/fax message were sent to the Chief Ministers of Punjab, Maharashtra
and UP in the stipulated format.
NCCOEEE Southern regional convention was conducted on 2.3.05 at
Thiruvananthapuram. 8 organisations from the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and
Tamil Nadu attended the convention. Around 350 delegates attended the
convention, out of which 62 were from our association. Participation from Tamil
Nadu and Karnataka were limited to leaders of the organisations. Non of the
organizations from AP participated even though they were intimated. The
convention adopted a resolution calling for Scrapping of Electricity Act,
Revision of Power policy, Go back from unbundling SEBs and to stop privatisation
of Power Sector.
Badge day
A protest day was observed on 4.3.05 all over Kerala by wearing badges, calling
for Repeal of Electricity Act 2003.
State level rally on March 9th
A huge rally of around 4000 Employees and Engineers was conducted in front of
State Secretariat. There was enthusiastic response from employees and officers
on the call for rally. Around 400 members from our association rallied in the
demonstration.
Protest day
A state level protest day was observed by carrying out demonstrations and slogan
shouting in front of all offices on 22nd March. The protest day was called in
response to a meeting of officials called by Kerala Power Minister to speed up
the process of unbundling and corporatisation of KSEB and to formulate various
rules under the Act. The response to the call was very impressive. Even those
sections of employees who were earlier lethargic to protests, responded to the
call.
Indefinite Strike Plan
The state committee of NCCOEEE, which met on 26.3.05, has decided to call for an
indefinite strike in the state against the move to unbundle and corporatise the
Board. Massive campaigns are also being planned for the Nation wide strike and
the indefinite strike. Office bearers of all the constituent organisations are
scheduled to meet on 19.4.05 to chalk out the action programme.
Independent Activites
• The Association has offered to construct 2 houses for rehabilitating tsunami
victims by meeting the expenses from own fund and the Government has allotted
the sites in Alappuzha and Kollam districts. The construction of the houses has
started as per the approved plan and estimate given by the Government. This is
in addition to the contribution of one day wages to support tsunami victims.
• Detailed Leaflets and Bullettins were issued and campaigns were carried out
among employees, highlighting issues like National strike call, long pending Pay
revision, appointment of consultancy for unbundling Board, defects in LT billing
computerization, anti-labour stand of Engineers association etc.
• World Women’s day was observed on 8.3.05 by conducting meetings and by
displaying posters depicting the ill effects of Globalisation on women hood.
• A Career Development Programme on the `terms & conditions of retail tariff and
supply code’ issued by SERC was conducted on 18.3.05.
• A signautre campaign to collect 1 lakh signatures against the anti people
power policy of Centre and State Governments was inaugurated on 2.4.05 and is
attracting people at large. The campaign is to last until 20th of this month and
is scheduled to cover around 200 centers. A poster display campaign is also
being carried out along with this.
• Anothr aggressive campaign against the anti people power policy is also being
carried out through some 200 `face to face’ and `Electricity and housewife’
programes during this month.
Developments in Kerala Power Sector
The Minister for Power, Kerala has convened a meeting of recognized Trade Unions
on 5.4.05 in which he has announced the intention of Kerala Government to seek
an extension of June 10th dead line for reorganization of the Board, from the
Central Government.
The Minister has also declared in the floor of the Kerala Legislative Assembly
that the consultancy appointment for unbundling of the Board is being abandoned
and the Government intends to retain the Generation. Transmission and
Distribution functions now being looked after by KSEB in a Single Govenrment
owned company and the possibility of forming a subsidiary company to carry out
the function of trading is beign looked into. The Minister was forced to retreat
from his ealrier position due to revelations on irregularities in appointment of
consultant Price Waterhosue Coopers – and consequent to consistent campaign and
agitations by employees led by EEFI and AIFEE.
Brief report of activities observed by WBSEB Workmen’s Union
Telegrams of protest against the move to unbundled, Corporatise and subsequently
privatize the MSEB/PSEB/UP Power utilities were sent to the concerned chief
ministers from state, District, Sub-divisional and unit committees of our union
within 2nd half of 3rd,4th half of January and 1st half of February
respectively. Some photocopies have already sent to EEFI Centre.
State Convention against electricity Act’2003 was called by EEFI, WB State
Committee on the 24th February, 2005 at Kolkata where Com. Unnithan and Com.
Bhadran were present. Our union took main initiative to make the convention a
grand success. Staff and leaders from other utilities of the state (such as CESC
and DVC) were present.
Due to sad demise of renowned state leader, Com. Kanak Mukherjee our union
deferred the rallies scheduled on 9 March. Instead of that date, our union
mobilized gate meeting on 17 May in all offices of the state. The employees
wearing Black Badge observed the day as demand day.
Besides aforesaid programme our union members also participated in mass
demonstration against 20 point demand raised by NMPO on the 28th January,2005.
Our Union also observed World Woman day on 8th March and participated in state
wide human chain against imperialist attack on Iraq on 20th March.
A convention of electricity employees and engineers of Eastern Region was
organized at Kolkata by NCCOEEE chapter of West Bengal on 23rd April’05 which
was addressed by Coms. Shyamal Chakraborty, Chakradar P. Singh, B.S. Meel and Er.
Shailendra Dubey. Com. Himanshu presided over the meeting. Convention adopted a
resolution for 48 hour strike w.e.f 31st May to 1st June’05 in pursuance of
NCCOEEE call.
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FEDERATION OF U.T. EMPLOYEES & WORKERS, CHANDIGARH
PRESS – RELEASE
Vth Delegate conference of the federation of U.T. Employees and workers
Chandigarh concludes: unanimously elected Sh Bhagmal Rana as Gen secy and Sh
Manmohan Singh as President.
Chadigarh Dated 8th April: The vth delegate conference of the Federation of U.T.
Employees and Workers Chandigarh, which was started here at Balbhawan, sector
23-B, Chandigarh on 7-4-05 (yesterday) concluded late evening.
The conference was inaugurated by Com. Amarjit Singh Sodhi, All India Senior
Vice President of Electricity Employees Federation of India (EEFI) and President
Technical Services Union (TSU) PSEB, Punjab. 275 delegates of 24 affiliated
unions of various departments participated in the conference.
Comrade Bhagmal Rana General Secretary of the federation of U.T. employees and
workers Chandigarh presented the 28 pages written report before the delegates
for discussion. The self critical and analytical report stressed the need for
uniting more workers around the federation, building the joint struggles,
ensourcing the democratic functioning so that U.T. Admn., the corporation are
pressurize concede the demands.
In the IInd session 37 delegates have took part in the discussion on the report
and gave their valuable suggestions for strengthening the federation.
After the discussion resolutions consisting – Regularisation of daily Wages and
Work charge workers, Treating Transferred employees from Chandigarh Admn To M.C.
as on deputation, stoppage of privatization, offer of appointment to the next
kin of deceased employees, pension scheme to Housing Board employees and
implementation of agreement with ICCW employee and stop harassment of womens
were passed in the conference.
Following have been elected Office bearer and working committee members of the
federation for next 2 year terms unanimously.
President : Manmohan Sing
Sr. Vice President: Vijay Singh
Vice President : Sh. Ram Gopal, Ujjar Singh Mohi, Hem Singh Rana, Narinder Singh
Sekhon
General Secretary : Sh Bhagmal Rana
Joint Secretary : Gopal Dutt Joshi, Kanhayia Lal, Girish Kumar, Daljit Singh
Org. Secretary : Bihari Lal, Ram Saroop, Dhian Singh, Sushil Kumar, Kalam Singh,
Balwinder Singh, Dev Raj
Secy : Pardeep Kumar, Paramjit kaur, Harjinder Kaur, Surinder Kaur
Cashier : Swaroop Singh Rawat
Prop. Secy. : Rajpal, Ved Prakash, Trlochan Singh, priya Swami, Sucha Singh,
Kushal Pal, Kalyan Chand along with 12 working committee members.
Bhagmal Rana, General Secretary
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KSEB WORKERS ASSOCIATION(CITU)
Effective and extensive campaign programme has been organized in Kerala as part
of the Parliament March on December 10, 2004. Vehicle Jadhas, Street Plays,
Seminars, Public Debate, Postering etc., have been done. About 400 public
meetings were held in the state describing the perils of Electricity Act 2003.
Sixteen members of our association participated in the Parliament March. In
Kerala, on the same day, we have observed protest day against the decision of
government to appoint Price Water House Coopers, a consulting agency to conduct
study in assessing the assets and liabilities of KSE Board as part of
unbundling, and against reversion of 82 Assistant Executive Engineers(civil) as
Asst. Engineer.
KSEB employees contributed one day’s wages to the Chief Minister’s tsunami
Distress Relief Fund. In addition to this , workers association collected above
rs.1 lakh directly from the employees and contributed to the rehabilitastion
programme of CPI(M). On 5th February,2005, state convetion of EEFI was held at
Ernakulam. Our President inaugurated the convention. South zone Regional
Convetion of NCCOEEE was also convened on 2nd March 2005 at BTR Memorial,
Thiruvananthapuram. Representatives of employees and engineers from Tamil Nadu
and Karnataka took part in the convention. From Kerala, four organizations
representing employees and officers participated in the above convention. The
Engineers Association, the Major Organiasation of Electrical Engineers in KSE
Board affiliated to AIPEF did not cooperate or participate in this convention.
In pursuance to the decision of NCCOEEE state committee, March 4, is observed as
a protest day by wearing badge to scrap Electricity Act 2003. The state level
rally of electricity employees and Engineers was successfully organized in State
on 9th March 2005 in front of Government secretariat, Thiruvananthapuram. About
5000 employees and officers participated in this rally.
State unit of NCCOEEE in its meeting also decided to campaign for the prposed
Nationa wide strike on May 31st and June 1st to scrap Electricity Act:2003. We
will undertake all efforts to rally the entire employees and officers in the
ensuing strike.
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ORISSA
The office-bearers and activists of Orissa Bijuli Karamachary Sangha held a
meeting at Berhampur on 23rd and 24th April’05. Com. B.S. Meel addressed the
meeting and briefed the background under which NCCOEEE has to give a call for
two days strike w.e.f 31st May’05. A resolution supporting the strike ensuing
participation from the employees in Southco was adopted and it was also decided
to undertake a campaign in other discos for the support of the strike.
MADHYA PRADESH
On 11th May’05 a meeting of activists of M.P. chapter of NCCOEEE was held at
Jabalpur which was addressed by Er. Shailendra Dubey and Com. B.S. Meel. A gate
meeting at M.P.E.B. Head Quarters was also held subsequently which was addressed
by trade Union leaders from Chattisgarh also in support of two days nationwide
strike.
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ANDHRA PRADESH
Electricity Employees and Engineers from Andhra Pradesh organized a regional
convention at Hyderabad on 13th May’05 which was chaired by Com. B.S. Meel. The
Trade union and association representatives from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and
Karnataka participated in the convention. Er. SatyaPremakumar, Convenor of
NCCOEEE chapter of Southern region also participated. The NCCOEEE leader Er.
Shailendra Dubey, Com. Mohan Sharma, K.R. Unnithan, Er. Narayan Chouhan,Com.
Sudha Bhaskar, Satyanarayan Rao, Er. Chidambaram, Shiva Rao also addressed the
audience. A resolution in support of two days strike was unanimously adopted.
MAHARASHTRA
A convention was held at Nagpur on 14th May’05 by Tantrik Kamgar Union in which
more than 120 delegates participated. Com. Ranjit Deshmukh, General Secretary
welcomed the NCCOEEE representatives Com. B.S. Meel and K.R. Unnithan. Com. Meel
in his address to the delegates emphasized that inspite of total failure of
power reforms, GOI continued to impose the liberal policies in power sector and
NCCOEEE was left with no other alternative except to call two days national
strike. Com. Unnithan briefed state by state all-round failure of power reforms
and said that the adamant attitude of the GOI to take notice from our experience
of last 15 years in power sector calls upon the electricity employees to give a
befitting reply by making two days national strike a grand success to draw the
attention of the people who are going to bear the burnt of liberal logic in
power sector by way of repeated tariff shocks.
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HIMACHAL PRADESH
A meeting of activists of HPSEB Engineers Associations and HPSEB Employees Union
was held at Shimla on 11th May’05 which was attended on behalf of NCCOEEE by
Com. A.S. Sodhi, Er. Sukhdev Singh. Com. C.S. Mandyal presided over the meeting
and Er. Suneel Grover welcomed the NCCOEEE leaders on behalf of HPSEB Employees.
Com. Sodhi and Er. Sukhdev Singh addressed the audience and enjoined upon them
to make grand success the two days national strike. The HPSEB employees
representatives assured full support for the struggle.
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