Put Bill in public domain before discussion: Power workers

ELECTRICITY (AMENDMENT) BILL 2021

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Coordination Committee of Electricity Employees, Engineers and Pensioners (CCOEEEP) organized an interaction session on Monday to discuss the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2021.

The Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2021 has been included in the list of 20 new Bills to be placed in the current budget session of the Parliament.

Addressing the media, national secretary general of All India Federation of Power Diploma Engineers and National Stalwart, Abhimanyu Dhankar stated that the Bill must be put in the public domain before starting a discussion on the same.

"The present approach of the Ministry of Power towards the Bill is not transparent. It seems that the government is trying to hide crucial facts about the Bill," Dhankar alleged.

He said that on February 17, the Ministry of Power will have a discussion with power secretaries of the State and CMDs (Chairman-cum-Managing Directors) of the power distribution companies to discuss the proposed Amendment in Electricity Act 2003.

Dhankar argued that a 'four-hour-long meeting' is not sufficient to discuss such an important matter.

"Discussions to make the Bill an Act will need at least three months. The proposed amendment involves de-licensing of the distribution business. The Bill must be placed in public domain and all stakeholders including consumers and employees should be given the opportunity to submit their views," Dhankar stressed.

Lastly, the CCOEEEP underlined that it will stage nationwide protests if the government does not come to a positive conclusion regarding the Bill during the meeting on February 17.

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