By News Bureau | New Delhi
The All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) has intensified its opposition to the proposed Electricity (Amendment) Bill, calling on state governments to take a "firm and united stand" against the legislation. The appeal comes ahead of the crucial Power Ministers' conference on January 22–23, chaired by Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, where the bill and Discom privatization are top priorities.
Threat to Federal Structure
In a letter addressed to Chief Ministers of all States and Union Territories, AIPEF Chairman Shailendra Dubey warned that the bill poses a grave threat to the financial health of state-owned distribution companies (Discoms) and the country’s federal structure. He argued that the bill allows private players to use existing public infrastructure without any fresh investment, enabling them to "cherry-pick" high-revenue industrial and commercial consumers.
Impact on Common Man
The Federation highlighted that removing cross-subsidies and ending universal supply obligations for large consumers would leave state Discoms with only loss-making rural and domestic sectors. "This could trigger a massive 30% to 50% hike in electricity tariffs for farmers, households, and small businesses," Dubey stated.
Call for Action
Labeling the move as 'backdoor privatization,' the AIPEF urged states to protect their rights over electricity—a Concurrent List subject. The Federation cautioned that treating electricity as a profit-making commodity rather than a public service would be met with nationwide protests by engineers, employees, and farmers alike.
