The Maharashtra Government has imposed MESMA on Electricity Sector Employees, prohibiting them from striking

The state government, in a major policy move, invoked the Maharashtra Essential Services Maintenance Act (MESMA) on Sunday, prohibiting employees of the three state-run electricity firms from joining the two-day nationwide strike called by various trade unions beginning March 28.

 

The government's action is aimed at assuring an uninterrupted power supply as well as avoiding negative consequences for the economy, which is slowly but surely improving. Employees of the three power firms have agreed to strike on March 28 and 29, notwithstanding the invocation of MESMA. Krishna Bhoyar, a trade union representative, stated that 39 unions have unanimously agreed to do so and that they will not retract. He hinted that the strike may have an impact on electricity supplies. Together, the three companies employ nearly 1 lakh people.

 

Dinesh Waghmare, Principal Secretary of the Energy Department, told the Free Press Journal, "There is no proposal for the power firms to be privatized." Employees had been urged not to strike by the administration. MESMA was enacted in the public interest since electricity is a necessary service.

 

Energy Minister Nitin Raut asked staff to avoid going on strike since farming operations require a constant supply of electricity. In addition, exam preparation for students in grades 10 and 12 should not be hampered by high temperatures. The three electricity companies will not be privatized, according to Raut.

 

A handful of public sector banks have stated that the strike may have a minimal impact on their services. During the strike, the SBI said it had made the required arrangements to ensure routine operations in its branches and offices. The public's primary interaction with the bank is through ATMs, therefore the strike is unlikely to disrupt withdrawals.

 

 

Image Courtesy: Twitter @SanjayJog7