SKM also linked the Electricity Bill with other contested policies.
Punjab Farmers Stage Massive Protests Against 2025 Electricity Amendment Bill
The Sanyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), a coalition of rural and farm labour organisations along with employees, students, youth and women's groups, has announced a series of statewide protests in Punjab against the Central Government’s proposed Electricity Amendment Bill, 2025. SKM said, it paves the way for privatisation of the power sector and threatens affordable electricity for ordinary citizens. SKM leaders confirmed that dharnas will be held in front of Deputy Commissioner offices across Punjab on January 16 as part of the mobilisation campaign.
According to SKM spokespersons including Santokh Singh Sandhu, Kirti Kisan Union leader Harpreet Kaur Nusi, and Pendu Mazdoor Union state press secretary Kashmir Singh Ghuggshore, tractor and motorcycle marches will take place across Punjab from December 28 to January 4, with a motorcycle march in Kartarpur on December 29 starting under the main Chowk bridge at 11 am.
The leaders said that the Electricity Amendment Bill, 2025, will hand over the Electricity Department to private companies and introduce chip-based electricity meters, which they claimed would make power unaffordable and operate on a prepaid model. They added the current facility of electricity bill waivers for farmers, labourers and other sections would end once the bill is passed in the Lok Sabha, and that privatisation would lead to loss of government jobs and weaken Punjab’s authority due to centralisation of power.
SKM also linked the Electricity Bill with other contested policies, alleging the Centre is pushing “anti-people” measures, including the Seeds Bill, 2025, anti-MGNREGS measures and labour codes.
Pendu Mazdoor Union state president Tarsem Peter, along with Mukesh Malaud of the Zameen Prapti Sangharsh Committee and Kulwinder Waraich of the Indian Federation of Trade Unions, announced support for the protests and participation in dharnas being held by MGNREGA workers. They also called for repeal of the VB G Ram G Act and acceptance of pending worker demands, they said.
Source: The Tribune
