Power staff protest outside minister’s residence

A massive protest was held outside the residence of Punjab Power Minister Sanjeev Arora in Ludhiana on Sunday, as employees of the electricity department from across the state gathered to voice their opposition to the proposed Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the alleged sale of valuable assets owned by the power corporation.

The demonstration, led by various unions representing electricity workers, began around noon and drew large crowds from multiple districts.

Protesters raised slogans and held placards demanding the rollback of the Central Government’s proposed bill and a halt to the privatisation of public assets. The unions claimed that ten prime properties of the power corporation were being sold off, a move they strongly condemned.

In anticipation of the protest, the local administration deployed heavy police force in the area. Barricades were set up on all roads leading to the minister’s residence, and water cannons were stationed as a precautionary measure to prevent any untoward incidents.

Powercom leader Gurpreet Singh criticised the government’s decision, stating, “These lands were donated by village panchayats and belong to the people of Punjab. Selling them is an insult to our heritage.” He emphasised that the protest was not just against the minister but against the broader policy decisions affecting public resources.

Union leaders also warned that the agitation would not remain limited to electricity workers. “Farmers, students and other social organisations will soon join us. This is a people’s movement,” said one of the union representatives.

The protesters also expressed concerns over the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025, alleging that it would pave the way for corporate control over power distribution. “This bill will allow private players to monopolise electricity, leaving common citizens at their mercy,” said a union spokesperson.

They demanded that the Punjab Government convene a special session of the Assembly to reject the bill and formally communicate its opposition to the Centre.

The protest concluded peacefully, with union leaders reiterating that their intention was to register dissent, not to seek a meeting with the minister. The demonstration marked a significant escalation in the ongoing resistance against privatisation and central reforms in the power sector.