Date:12/12/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/12/12/stories/2003121201791500.htm

National

CITU for scrapping Electricity Act

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI DEC. 11. The 11th conference of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions here today called for the scrapping of Electricity Act 2003 as it would pave the way for the entire power sector going into private hands.

Adopting a resolution to this effect, the conference said that because of the enactment, electricity boards in the States would no longer exist. Criticising the Union Government for the legislation, the CITU said the powers of the State Governments had been completely snatched away. "This is nothing but absolute denial of the powers conferred upon the State Governments in the concurrent list." As per the new law, the entire generation sector was sought to be delicensed, paving the way for multinationals' entry. Because of this, the cost of power would be high. The conference cited the experience of Enron. Compulsory purchase of high-cost power from Enron seriously affected the economic structure of the Maharashtra State Electricity Board. The conference called upon all unions to conduct a countrywide programme to highlight the adverse impact of the Act.

The conference said the Supreme Court judgment denying the right of the working class to strike was a "direct attack on the democratic rights of the people." It welcomed the initiative taken by the Confederation of Central Government Employees and the All India State Government Employees Federation to go for a countrywide strike on February 11 next.

Following the judgment, the Tamil Nadu Government had become "more atrocious" by confirming the dismissal of about 600 employees. Some other States and High Courts had started imposing prohibitory orders on strikes. Another resolution adopted against communal and fundamentalist forces called upon the people to combat these effectively.

Briefing reporters on the conference proceedings, the CITU general secretary, M.K. Pande, told reporters that the Centre came up with the Electricity Act without consulting the State Governments. After all, it was the State Governments which had to implement the law.

Speakers at the conference said efforts should be made to form a confederation of Indian trade unions which would consolidate the unity of the working class and the trade union movement and organise united struggles on various issues. Several delegates said the policies of globalisation, privatisation and liberalisation of the Union Government should be fought in a much bigger way. Other points made by delegates were that the unity of the working class and trade union democracy should be strengthened.