The stalemate over the proposed two-day Statewide strike by power sector employees continued even as Haryana Government held hectic parleys till late Monday night with the employees unions.
While the State Government has claimed to resolve the issues of workers unions of Haryana Power Utilities, the union has said that they would announce their decision on the proposed strike on Tuesday morning.
Talking to the mediapersons after a marathon four-hour long meeting with the employees union, Haryana Cabinet Minister Krishan lal Panwar said that most of the issues of the employees were resolved.
Earlier in the morning, the power sector workers had refused to withdraw their two-day strike call for this month-end despite Haryana Chief Minister Manohar lal Khattar's assurance that the government was open to talks.
The Chief Minister had appealed to the agitating employees of unions to withdraw their call for a two-day state-wide strike on June 29 and 30 against “outsourcing” at sub-divisional level in power Department.
Khattar had constituted a three-member committee under the chairmanship of Transport Minister Krishan lal Panwar, with the Chief Secretary and Additional Chief Secretary, Power, as its members, to negotiate with the representatives of the agitating employees.
The Chief Minister had also directed the officers of the Power Department to ensure that all possible measures are taken to ensure that supply of power is not disrupted and the people are not put to any inconvenience.
The employee unions are protesting against the hiring of private contractors for the maintenance and operations of 11-KV and low-tension (lT) transmission lines in 23 subdivisions of the state and have demanded that the State Government should withdraw its decision to privatize the power distribution companies (discoms). The unions are also demanding regularization of contractual staff, removal of pay anomalies, reorganisation of the power discoms and filling of vacant posts on annual basis and timely promotion.
The employees also held candle march on Monday in various parts of the state against the enforcement of ESMA by Haryana Government.The State Government had on Friday invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) in the state for six months in view of the strike call.
The government has prohibited the strike in the Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam ltd, Haryana Power Generation Corporation ltd, Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam ltd and Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam ltd by any of their employees for six months with immediate effect.
The strike call has been given when sowing of paddy crop is in full swing and power supply to agricultural fields has to be ensured.
Meanwhile, Indian National lok Dal and Congress have slammed Haryana Government on the issue of privatization in the power sector.
While INlD blamed the BJP led State Government for failing to fulfil the demands of government employees, Congress alleged that the ruling party should revoke ESMA in the state.leader of opposition and INlD’s senior leader Abhay Singh Chautala said that Haryana Government has failed to resolve the issues of government employees forcing them to resort to protests.
On the other hand, for Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said that BJP wants to murder democracy thus enforced ESMA in the state.Kiran Choudhry, leader of the Haryana Congress legislature Party said, “It is draconian anti-worker measure and an assault on the constitutional and democratic right of the workers to protest to press their demands. The ESMA decision should be revoked.”
HARYANA GEARS UP FOR PROPOSED STRIKE
With a view to provide round the clock uninterrupted power supply and to tackle the strike call given by the Haryana Joint Action Committee Power on June 29 and 30, Haryana Government has issued instructions to all its field offices to keep a constant watch on the situation and to ensure regular power supply.
The officers concerned have also been directed to remain in touch with the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police of the area and would apprise them of the situation and request for administrative support / assistance, wherever required, for maintaining law and order situation, said an official spokesman.
A special control rooms have also been setup at head office with phone number (0172-3019123 and 3019124) and at field levels to monitor the status of power supply. Special teams area also constituted to attend the break downs of the line and sub stations.The Government has given strict instructions to all its officers/ officials (including contractual employees) to ensure their presence in their offices during the period of strike otherwise strict disciplinary action would be taken against them.