The Federal Executive of the All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF), in its meeting on 8 March 2026, expressed strong opposition to the Government of India’s move to table and pass the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2025 during the ongoing Budget Session.
Shailendra Dubey, Chairman, and P. Rathnakar Rao, Secretary General of AIPEF, said the Federation is deeply concerned that the Government appears to be pushing the Bill despite widespread objections from power employees, engineers, farmers’ groups, and consumers. They criticized the lack of transparency in addressing these objections, calling the rush to pass the legislation a serious undermining of democratic processes.
AIPEF also objected to the inclusion of the All India DISCOM Association in the Working Group reviewing comments on the Bill, arguing that the body’s long-standing support for privatization compromises the neutrality of the process. The Federation warned that the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the National Electricity Policy 2026 are designed to accelerate privatization, which would weaken public electricity systems and harm employees, farmers, and consumers.
The meeting highlighted ongoing resistance to privatization in states like Uttar Pradesh, where employees, farmers, and consumers have been protesting against the privatization of Purvanchal and Dakshinanchal DISCOMs for over 466 days. AIPEF also condemned Uttarakhand’s decision to transfer 76.73 hectares of land belonging to hydel power projects to private interests, warning that it threatens strategic national projects such as Lakhwar and Kishau. Actions by the Punjab government selling power sector land and targeting dissenting office bearers were similarly criticized.
The Federation reiterated its demand for the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for power sector employees nationwide.
In response to the developments, AIPEF announced a nationwide “lightning action” on 10 March 2026, including work boycotts and demonstrations at offices and project sites if the Government proceeds with the Bill. The Federation will coordinate with the National Coordination Committee of Electricity Employees and Engineers (NCCOEEE) and other organizations to strengthen the movement defending the public electricity sector.
AIPEF called upon all power engineers and employees to remain united in safeguarding the interests of the power sector, electricity workers, farmers, and consumers.
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