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Punjab is grappling with a severe power supply disruption after electricity department workers began a large-scale protest across the state. The strike has triggered widespread power cuts, affecting households, farmers, and industries. The protest, led by power utility employees’ unions, has entered a critical stage, with no immediate solution in sight.
Why Are Punjab’s Electricity Workers Protesting?
The protest is primarily driven by long-standing issues between the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) employees and the government. Union leaders have listed the following major demands:
Salary Revision & Arrears – Workers claim pending pay revisions have not been implemented despite multiple assurances.
Job Regularisation – Thousands of contractual employees demand permanent status, citing years of service.
Safety Measures – Field staff allege inadequate safety gear and poor working conditions, leading to frequent accidents.
Pension Restoration – Employees are demanding the revival of the old pension scheme.
Union representatives have accused the state government of delaying negotiations and failing to address these grievances despite repeated talks.
How the Protest is Impacting Punjab’s Power Supply
The ongoing agitation has had state-wide consequences:
Rural Punjab is facing long power cuts of 6–10 hours daily, badly affecting farmers during the peak irrigation period.
Industries, especially manufacturing and textile sectors, report production losses due to unstable electricity supply.
Urban areas are experiencing unscheduled load-shedding, forcing businesses and households to depend on costly generators.
Hospitals and essential services are facing difficulties in maintaining uninterrupted operations.
With temperatures soaring, the crisis is becoming a major public inconvenience.
Government’s Reaction and Emergency Measures
The Punjab government has urged employees to call off their strike and return to work, promising fresh negotiations to address their demands. Some immediate steps include:
Deploying temporary and retired staff to maintain essential power supply.
Seeking help from central agencies for emergency technical support.
Requesting industrial units to reduce load temporarily.
However, union leaders have made it clear that unless written commitments are given, the protest will continue.
Farmers Hit the Hardest
Punjab’s economy relies heavily on agriculture, and electricity is crucial for irrigation. Paddy transplantation season requires continuous water pumping, and farmers fear significant crop damage if power cuts persist. Farmer unions have extended support to electricity workers, adding pressure on the government to find a solution quickly.
Expert Opinions – What’s the Way Forward?
Energy sector analysts suggest that long-term power sector reforms are essential:
Better wage agreements to prevent repeated strikes.
Upgrading power infrastructure to reduce dependency on manual repairs.
Implementing renewable energy solutions to handle demand spikes.
Regular dialogue between workers’ unions and the state to address grievances proactively.
Without structural reforms, Punjab risks recurring power crises in the future.
Conclusion
The Punjab power crisis caused by workers’ protests highlights deeper issues in the state’s electricity sector. While the immediate concern is restoring supply, the long-term focus must be on creating a stable, well-managed, and worker-friendly system. Until negotiations succeed, residents and businesses will have to endure the challenges of power shortages.
Published on : 14th August
Published by : SMITA
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