70,000 MP Electricity Workers Strike, 720 Complaints Pending in Bhopal, 554 in Capital

Bhopal: As the state of Madhya Pradesh witnesses an indefinite strike by approximately 70,000 electricity workers, various challenges have emerged for the general public. These workers participating in the strike have raised eight demands, including those related to pensions, transfers, and insurance. As a result, they have refrained from their regular duties.

In the Bhopal circle alone, there are currently 720 pending complaints from morning till 3:30 PM, with most of these complaints ideally requiring resolution within half an hour. Additionally, the capital city has around 554 unresolved complaints, encompassing issues such as line faults and power outages.

Notably, in conjunction with the electricity workers, approximately 52,000 pensioners in the state are also demonstrating during the strike. The state government has enforced the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) to quell the strike for three months.

The strike has left numerous issues unresolved in various districts of the Bhopal circle, including Bhopal, Rajgarh, Sehore, Vidisha, Raisen, Harda, Gwalior, Bhind, Morena, Guna, Shivpuri, Datia, and Ashoknagar. Many of these districts employ outsourced personnel to handle electricity services, and several residents have resorted to online bill payments. In response, some individuals have established protest tents in Govindpura, Bhopal.

This strike by electricity workers follows their previous demonstrations, including fasting and devotional singing in front of the Gandhi statue in Govindpura on October 2. Subsequently, on October 6, the workers commenced the indefinite strike, with no resolution reached during three rounds of discussions between the United Forum for Power Employees and Engineers, the Madhya Pradesh Power Engineers’ Association, and the Power Engineers and Employees Association (PEEA). District coordinators have been appointed in every district to oversee the progress of the strike.