More than 15,000 employees of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) and Punjab State Power Transmission Corporation Limited (PSTCL) have launched a coordinated three-day strike beginning August 11, 2025.
The protest, organized under the joint banner of Bijli Ekta Manch and Punjab State Employees Federation (PSEB), includes participation from over 15 unions, junior engineers, grid substation staff, and pensioners’ associations.
The strike was triggered by the non-implementation of commitments made by the Punjab government in earlier meetings, particularly one held on June 2, where several demands were reportedly agreed to “in principle” by Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO and PSPCL management.
Punjab Power Staff’s Key Demands and Unresolved Issues
The employees are pressing for a range of demands, including:
- Release of 13% pending dearness allowance
- Restoration of the old pension scheme
- Rectification of pay and pension anomalies
- Regularization of contract workers
- Recruitment for nearly 50,000 vacant posts
- Cashless medical facilities and ex gratia enhancements
- Timely overtime payments for grid substation staff
Union leaders expressed frustration over the government’s failure to honor its commitments.
Gurpreet Singh Gadiwind, Convenor of Bijli Ekta Manch, stated that the document shared by PSPCL management after a recent meeting did not reflect the agreements reached, prompting the continuation of the strike.
Operational Disruptions and Safety Concerns
The strike has led to significant disruptions in routine power operations across Punjab.
With regular staff absent, PSPCL has deployed clerical and non-technical employees, including women, to manage 66 KV substations, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from unions for compromising safety.
Engineers have been deputed to manage grid stations but have refused to perform additional duties beyond their regular shifts.
If replacements do not arrive within two hours after a shift ends, engineers have been instructed to leave the station.
Routine services such as fault repairs, transformer installations, and meter replacements have come to a standstill.
The timing is particularly critical due to the monsoon season, which typically sees increased feeder tripping and technical faults.
Punjab Government Response and Legal Measures
In response to the strike, PSPCL has invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), warning employees of strict penalties including termination, pay cuts, stalled promotions, and imprisonment of up to three years.
Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO has appealed to employees to return to duty, citing the risk of widespread outages and disruption to public services.
He emphasized the need for dialogue and assured that key issues would be addressed.
Support from Farmers and Public Concern
The strike has received backing from the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ugrahan), which issued a statement supporting the employees’ demands and urging the government to resolve the matter promptly.
Public concern is growing, especially in rural areas where villagers have reported the absence of qualified staff at substations.
In one instance, a clerk was reportedly left to manage high-voltage equipment, prompting safety fears.
Outlook and Next Steps
The strike is scheduled to continue until midnight on August 13.
Unions have also announced plans for further demonstrations on August 15, aligning with Independence Day.
The outcome of the protest will likely depend on whether the government takes concrete steps to address the employees’ grievances and restore normal operations.
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