Government toughens stand as electricity workers’ strike enters the fifth day

PUDUCHERRY

As the strike by electricity employees entered the fifth day that saw sporadic protests by residents over power outages on Sunday, the government geared up for tougher measures to ensure uninterrupted power supply.

In an internal note (No. 50541/ID/PD/P5/2022) seen by The Hindu, the Industrial Development (Power) Department has tasked the Superintending Engineer-Head of Department of the Puducherry Electricity Department with taking all measures to ensure that public services are rendered without interruption.

The Superintending Engineer has also been directed to impress the fact upon employees that criminal action would be initiated against anyone found to be involved in unlawful activities, including acts of sabotage, and precipitating law and order problems by public agitations over power disruptions.

The note warns of invoking provisions under FR 17 (a) that constitutes forfeiture of past service against employees involved in dereliction of duty or engaging in unlawful acts.

The note, copies of which have been marked to the Secretary to the Lt. Governor, the SSP (Law and Order), the OSD to the Chief Minister, the OSD to the Power Minister and the Private Secretary to the Chief Secretary, categorically states that “the employees of the Electricity Department cannot be allowed to resort to such agitation in a public utility service department and they are duty bound to honour the duties cast upon them”.

Stating that the privatisation of the Electricity Department is a policy decision approved by the Government of India, the note references an earlier Government Order wherein the Electricity Department had been notified as a Public Utility Service under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, in the exigencies of public interest. In this regard, cessation of work by employees shall be deemed to be “on strike” under Section 3(q) of the Act, and therefore, liable for disciplinary action.

The note states that in view of the privatisation, the employees of the Electricity Department have gone in for a strike from September 28, thereby abstaining from their routine duties. Due to this, a lot of complaints are being received from members of the public about undue shutdown of supply in most of the areas of the Union Territory.