Union Budget 2026 Disappointing for Power Sector and Employees: Dubey
Ranchi: The All India Power Engineers Federation has termed the Union Budget 2026 as highly disappointing for the power sector and electricity employees. Federation Chairman Shailendra Dubey said that there were strong expectations from the budget to address the growing financial losses of public sector electricity distribution companies (DISCOMs), but no concrete or effective measures were announced.
Dubey stated that there was also hope that the government would make a clear announcement to halt privatization in the transmission sector under Tariff Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB), as the issue is directly linked to national security. However, the budget remained completely silent on this matter. He further said that there was no discussion on setting up new public sector power plants to ensure low-cost electricity generation, which is unfortunate.
Expressing disappointment on behalf of employees, Dubey said that power sector employees, along with millions of other workers, were expecting the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), an increase in the income tax exemption limit, and enhancement of standard deduction, but none of these demands were fulfilled.
He also raised concerns over the proposed restructuring of Power Finance Corporation (PFC) and Rural Electrification Corporation (REC). Dubey warned that if restructuring is used as a means to push privatization or impose conditions on financial assistance to states, power employees and engineers across the country will strongly and decisively oppose it.
