Andhra Pradesh electricity employees to go on indefinite strike from Aug 10

VIJAYAWADA: Electricity employees unions in Andhra Pradesh have decided to go on an indefinite strike from August 10, 2023 to press for their demand for pay revision and regularisation of contract workers.

The talks between the Andhra Pradesh Power Employees Joint Action Committee (JAC) and management of power utilities failed here on Tuesday. Employees from Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation (APGENCO), Transmission Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (TRANSCO) and Discoms who were attending to their duties by wearing black badges from the end of July would go on strike from Wednesday night.

On Tuesday, the employees participated in a work-to-rule strike at their offices. The JAC also announced their future course of action that would include a pen-down protest on Wednesday and returning the sim cards to the management by Wednesday evening. A decision was also taken not to attend anything except emergency services.

Meanwhile, heavy security arrangements were made by the Vijayawada Police with 2,000 police forces at Vidyut Soudha. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Vishal Gunni visited the Vidyut Soudha and examined the bandobast arrangements made by the police ahead of the indefinite strike of the electricity employees.

“We have received communication from anti-social forces to enter Vijayawada on the pretext of electricity employees to create law and order issues during the indefinite strike of the electricity employees from August 10, 2023. As a precautionary measure, Section 30 of the Police Act and Section 144 of the CrPC have been invoked in Vijayawada,” Vishal Gunni said.