Govt Extends ESMA for Power Utilities

The State Government has extended the promulgation of Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) by another six months prohibiting strike in power utilities.

The Energy Department has requested the  Home Department to extend the ESMA Act for another six months keeping public interest in view. Uninterrupted supply of power is basic pre-requisite for the public, institutions, industries as well as all other enterprises that depend on it for normal functioning, the Department said.

“Electricity is an essential commodity for the entire State both in private and public sectors and its uninterrupted supply is highly necessary for maintaining normal life of the general public,” said a letter from the Energy Department.

In case of any constraint or disturbance in generation, the State distribution utilities will have no option but to import power from other States at high cost, the letter said.

All the generation and distribution utilities are facing industrial unrest frequently following strikes or threats of strikes by labour unions in support of their charter of demands, the department said justifying the need for extension of ESMA.