Employees of the power corporation who want to embark on an indefinite strike starting on May 29 to protest the privatization of electricity service in 42 Purvanchal and Dakshinanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam districts may face harsh repercussions from the Uttar Pradesh government.

In a video conference with police and district magistrates (DMs) on Thursday, Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh emphasized the government’s commitment to carrying out the privatization decision. Additionally, the Power Corporation warned that strict steps will be taken in the event of a power outage.

Assuring the power workers that their interests would be safeguarded after privatization, the Chief Secretary gave DMs instructions to meet with them and discuss their issues during the one-hour video conference. In addition, he gave authorities tight instructions to deal with striking workers while maintaining households’ access to electricity.

Employees who participated in the walkout faced severe departmental and legal repercussions, according to the company’s warning. It emphasized that power is a necessary service and that any interruption is intolerable. According to the caution, there will be dire repercussions for any effort to interfere with the power supply.

Workers were advised not to take part in the walkout or any associated events. Additionally, the advise warned against provoking other government workers with rallies or demonstrations at government buildings. It forewarned that any disturbance would be met with harsh action. Employees’ advancements may be impacted by the advise, which acts as a notification and will be recorded in their individual files.

Prior cases of the workers’ union encouraging strikes and causing disturbances were also cited in the advise. On March 17, 2023, the Allahabad High Court issued a harsh ruling after taking suo moto cognizance of the inconvenience created by earlier strikes. Under ESMA, the government has also outlawed strikes in a number of electricity companies.

Despite this, the union still engages in protests and fosters a strike-friendly atmosphere, which is against employee behavior policies. Citing Section 131 of the Electricity Act, 2003, which stipulates that the government cannot go further with privatization after already established power businesses, the Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Upbhokta Parishad has questioned the power corporation’s privatization process.