Electricity amendment bill: KPDCL employees protest in Pulwama, Awantipora
Staff warns of privatization, job insecurity
Pulwama: Employees of the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) on Thursday staged massive protests in Pulwama and Awantipora against the proposed Electricity Amendment Bill, expressing serious concerns over what they termed as a “direct threat” to public sector power utilities and employees’ job security.
Carrying placards and raising slogans, hundreds of engineers, linemen, clerical staff and field workers assembled outside KPDCL offices demanding immediate withdrawal of the Bill.
Protesters alleged that the amendment would pave the way for privatization of the power sector, weaken state-owned distribution companies, and ultimately burden consumers with higher tariffs.
“We strongly oppose this Bill because it aims to hand over public electricity services to private companies. Once privatized, power will become unaffordable for common people and thousands of employees will be pushed into uncertainty,” said Mohammad Ashraf, a senior KPDCL employee during the Pulwama protest.
Another protesting staff member in Awantipora said the amendment threatens decades of public service infrastructure.
“This Bill is not about reforms; it is about dismantling public utilities. We have served in harsh weather and risky conditions to ensure electricity supply. Now our future is being compromised without consultation,” he said.
Employees further claimed that the proposed changes would dilute the role of state power corporations and allow multiple private players to operate distribution networks, leading to chaos, uneven service delivery, and exploitation of consumers.
“Electricity is a basic necessity, not a luxury item. Turning it into a profit-driven business will hurt poor and rural households the most,” said another protester, adding that workers across Jammu and Kashmir are prepared to intensify their agitation if the government fails to listen to their demands.
The protesters also accused authorities of ignoring repeated representations submitted by power sector unions. They warned that continued silence from the government would force employees to resort to statewide strikes and service disruptions.
Meanwhile, KPDCL employee unions reiterated their demand for the immediate rollback of the Electricity Amendment Bill and called upon the central government to hold meaningful consultations with stakeholders before introducing such sweeping reforms.
The protesting employees vowed to continue their struggle until their concerns are addressed.
