AIKS Demands Immediate Withdrawal of ESMA

AIKS Demands Immediate Withdrawal of ESMA
AIKS Expresses Solidarity with the Struggling Workers

Vijoo Krishnan, GeneralSecretary                                                                                  
Ashok Dhawale, President

All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) condemns the decision of the Chandigarh UT Administration to invoke the draconian Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) against the electricity workers who are bravely fighting against the pro-corporate privatization of electricity. We demand its immediate withdrawal and stopping of the move to privatize the Public Sector Electricity Distribution Company. The workers, under the banner of the Electricity Employees Federation of India (EEFI) and NCCOEEE are leading this historic struggle for the last 50 days against the blatant anti-people privatization drive. Family members of the workers and general public are actively participating in the struggle.

Chandigarh’s profitable, publicly owned power utility is known for efficient, low tariff service delivery, and is respected across the country as a model in public sector efficiency. It is interesting that the annual average profits of the utility in the past couple of years were around Rs 250 crores. Despite this the utility was put for bidding at a base price of meagre Rs 174.63 crores.

This is blatant corruption and simultaneous attack on workers and consumers. This is part and parcel of the Narendra Modi-led BJP government’s project to dismantle the public sector and privatize electricity. This is evident from several BJP ruled states like UP and Rajasthan, where similar attempts for privatization are going on. Indian peasants are completely aware of the regime’s penchant to privatise electricity and fought it valiantly. To protect the class interests of the peasantry and other working people, it is crucial to block the privatization drive across the country. It is deeply related to the energy sovereignty and security of the country.

 AIKS expresses full solidarity to the struggling workers and calls upon its units to join in the struggle.