Himachal power employees protest at 61 sites, warn of blackout after Diwali if demands not met
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Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (HPSEB) employees and engineers staged sit-in protests at 61 locations across the state, rallying against recent state government decisions affecting their pensions and job security.
The protesters demanded the restoration of the old pension scheme (OPS), reinstatement of 51 engineering posts and rehiring of 81 outsourced drivers dismissed after years of service. The employees raised slogans and put up a united show of resistance.
The protesters said at present the sit-in was symbolic, but leaders from the joint front of electricity board employees and engineers have warned that it would escalate into a full-scale work strike after Diwali on December 31. The group has already cautioned the government of a potential statewide blackout if demands remain unmet.
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Joint front co-convener Hira Lal Verma said, “For 21 months, we have fought for the restoration of OPS. Now, the government has abolished 51 engineer posts and removed 81 long-serving outsourced drivers, which has fuelled anger among us all.”
He criticised the dismissals, especially those of drivers who had served on an outsource basis for up to 15 years, calling the decision “unfortunate” and demanding immediate reversal.
According to Verma, four days ago, the joint front held a meeting with the state government’s Cabinet Sub-Committee, headed by Minister Rajesh Dharmani. During this discussion, the government proposed a reorganisation within the electricity board, including plans to separate communication lines, sub-centres and other assets from the board’s main structure.
The protests have raised concerns about a possible confrontation between the government and the electricity board employees in the coming days. Verma reaffirmed the joint front’s stance, warning that if their demands were not met, they were prepared to leave work and initiate an aggressive protest, likely leading to widespread power outages across the state.
