Photo used for indicative purpose only. Source: Internet
Electricity Amendment Bill 2025 protest Himachal: Hundreds of HPSEBL staff, pensioners take to streets
Shimla, March 10,
Hundreds of employees, engineers and pensioners of the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) on Monday staged protests in Shimla and Dharamshala against the proposed Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025, alleging that the legislation could pave the way for privatization of power distribution and weaken state utilities.
The demonstrations were held under the banner of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) representing electricity employees, engineers and pensioners. The protests formed part of a nationwide call for symbolic agitation given by the National Coordination Committee of Electricity Employees and Engineers (NCCOEEE).
At the HPSEBL headquarters in Shimla, protesters raised slogans against the proposed amendments and demanded that the Union Government withdraw the Bill. Similar demonstrations were also held in Dharamshala.
Addressing the gathering, Sunil Grover, patron of the All India Power Federation, along with JAC co-convenor Hira Lal Verma and other representatives including Prashant Sharma, criticized the proposed legislation, describing it as “anti-employee, anti-public and anti-state”.
In a statement issued after the protest, JAC convenor Lokesh Thakur and co-convenor Hira Lal Verma said the proposed amendments were aimed at opening the power distribution sector to private companies.
They alleged that provisions such as allowing multiple distribution licensees in the same area, separating wire and supply businesses and introducing cost-reflective tariffs would weaken public sector utilities and ultimately increase the financial burden on consumers.
Union representatives warned that privatization in electricity distribution could adversely affect states with difficult geographical conditions such as Himachal Pradesh.
According to the employee organizations, handing over distribution services to private players could affect the operational viability of HPSEBL, jeopardize job security of employees and impact the social security of pensioners.
The protesters also expressed concern that electricity—being an essential public service—should not be driven primarily by profit motives.
Wider debate over power sector reforms
The agitation comes at a time when the power sector in Himachal has already witnessed multiple policy debates, including tariff revisions and subsidy restructuring aimed at managing the financial burden on the state. Previous tariff revisions introduced slab-based billing to rationalise subsidies and encourage efficient consumption.
Employee unions said any structural change in the power sector should be undertaken only after wider consultations with states, employees and consumer groups.
The Joint Action Committee warned that if the Union Government proceeds with the Electricity (Amendment) Bill without addressing concerns raised by employees and state utilities, the agitation could be intensified in coordination with national organizations.
Union leaders asserted that employees and consumers would collectively oppose any move that weakens public electricity utilities or makes power supply costlier for ordinary citizens
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The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
