PUDUCHERRY: Engineers and labourers of the Puducherry Electricity Department, under the banner of the Puducherry Electrical Engineers and Employees Welfare Association, have announced a massive hunger strike on Feb 19 to press for the resolution of long-pending demands.
The protest is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Electricity Department Head Office. Workers from all regions, including Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam, are expected to participate.
According to the Joint Action Committee, the strike comes in response to the prolonged inaction of the Electricity Department administration in addressing critical workforce issues.
”Puducherry government and power industry administration are jointly privatising the Puducherry power distribution and transmission and it is not acceptable that time is passing without filling up vacant posts. Over a thousand vacant posts have significantly increased the workload on existing staff,” said a spokesperson of the Association.
Workers claim that the rising number of e-subscribers and substations has further strained the system, with many employees stuck in the same positions for over 15 years without promotion.
The key demands include filling of vacant posts by immediate recruitment through promotion and direct appointment to address the workforce shortage, regularisation of temporary staff, salary revision, revised appointment and other demands.
The decision to hold the hunger strike was made during a meeting of the Joint Action Committee on February 7, 2025. Union representatives expressed frustration over the administration's lack of response to previous petitions and meetings.
"We are forced to take this step to safeguard our rights and ensure the efficient functioning of the power industry," said a committee spokesperson. "The government's inaction is affecting not just us but also the public, who deserve better service."
The association has called upon all power industry employees to join the protest in solidarity and to make their collective voice heard.
