AIKS Congratulates Maharashtra Electricity Workers for Historic Victory Against Corporate Forces

Press Note released at New Delhi on 6th January 2023

AIKS Congratulates Maharashtra Electricity Workers for

Historic Victory Against Corporate Forces

AIKS Strongly Opposes the Proposal for a Separate Electricity Distribution Company for Agricultural Consumers

All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) congratulates the workers and employees of Maharashtra State Public Electricity Companies for their historic victory in forcing the BJP led alliance government of the State to roll-back the proposed granting of parallel license to the Adani Group. The determined and courageous move of 72 hours strike from 4th January 2023 mid-night by around 86000 workers brought the electricity sector to a standstill. The Deputy CM and Energy Minister Devendra Fadnavis was forced to convene meeting with the Trade Union leadership and agreed to the demands.

Though the State Government invoked the draconian MESMA 2017 and did everything possible to prevent workers’ strike, the workers went ahead with the strike and ensured complete surrender of the State Government. This is an inspiring victory of the working class engaged in continuous struggles against the privatization of the electricity sector.

One of the major demands of the historic united farmers struggle was withdrawal of the Electricity Act Amendment Bill (2020). The treacherous Modi Government had deceived the agreement made with the SKM and unilaterally introduced the Electricity Act Amendment Bill (2022) in the Parliament. But, the effort by the Modi Government to allow the corporate companies in the electricity sector in the Union Territories of Kashmir, Chandigarh and Puducherry were opposed and defeated by the electricity workers. In Uttar Pradesh also the workers forced the BJP led State Government to step back from privatizing the electricity sector.

The Deputy CM, Maharashtra in the press conference at Mumbai had proposed a separate electricity distribution company for agricultural consumers. This proposal is disastrous for the interests of the farmers and eventually will end in denying the cross subsidy provided to the agricultural sector. Hence AIKS strongly protest and warn the State Government of massive farmers struggle against the back-door entry of corporate forces into agriculture.

This victory scored by the united struggle of the electricity workers of Maharashtra in the strategic sector of power is an example of how the struggles will be developed in future against the anti-people, pro-corporate policies of the authoritarian Modi Government. AIKS resolves to work to strengthen united struggles with the working class and resist moves to promote corporate profiteering and loot of resources.

Sd/-

Vijoo Krishnan

General Secretary

Ashok Dhawale

President