Haryana power staff, engineers protest against parallel licence

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Fear move could lead to privatisation; withdraw stir after officials assure against it

Panchkula, September 3

Power employees, engineers and officials from across the state staged a protest at the headquarters of the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) in Sector 4 here on Thursday, opposing the proposed parallel licence in the sector.

The demonstration was organised by the Haryana Electricity Employees and Engineers Joint Struggle Front during a public hearing convened by the commission on the issue.

The protesters described the proposed parallel licence as a step towards privatisation of the electricity sector and alleged that it could adversely affect power employees, farmers, domestic consumers and the general public.

They alleged that the move was aimed at benefitting private companies and could weaken the existing public electricity distribution system. Employees and consumers would jointly oppose any move towards privatisation of the sector, the protesters added.

Speaking on the occasion, Ravinder Ghanghas, spokesperson for the front, said the public hearing provided an important platform to raise concerns over the proposed licence and its implications for the power sector.

The protesters also held discussions with HERC officials. During the interaction, commission officials reportedly assured the delegation that they were not in favour of the proposed parallel licence and did not want the electricity department to be privatised.

Following the assurance, the employees agreed to withdraw their demonstration.