THE Southern Region Meeting of the National Coordination Committee of Electricity Employees and Engineers (NCCOEEE) was held in Chennai on March 16, 2025. The meeting was inaugurated by PN Chowdhury, Convener of NCCOEEE, who presented a detailed note on the current state of the electricity sector for discussion.

In his address, Chowdhury recounted the history and struggles of NCCOEEE since its formation in 2000, particularly its opposition to the Electricity Bill 2000, which sought to privatise State Electricity Boards (SEBs). The relentless efforts of NCCOEEE forced the then NDA government to refer the Bill to the Parliamentary Standing Committee and later introduce essential amendments, granting state governments greater control over the electricity sector's structure. During the UPA-1 government, with the crucial support and pressure from the Left parties and NCCOEEE, further amendments were made to retain cross-subsidies and enhance rural electrification. This collective pressure led to the launch of the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY), marking a significant policy shift towards broader electrification and reinforcing the role of central and state public sectors in the electricity sector.

Chowdhury highlighted ongoing privatisation attempts in Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, as well as the looming threat in Puducherry. He emphasized the importance of the sectoral National Strike of power employees and engineers scheduled for June 26, 2025, as decided during the NCCOEEE National Convention in Nagpur on February 23. Additionally, a National Strike against the Labour Codes will be held on May 20, 2025.

The discussion note presented at the meeting underscored the critical need to mobilise against privatisation. It revealed that a Group of Ministers has been formed to expedite the privatisation of State DISCOMs, with aggressive private sector initiatives like prepaid smart metering already underway.

Key speakers at the convention included Shailendra Dubey, Chairman of AIPEF; Sudip Dutta, General Secretary of EEFI; S. Rajendran, General Secretary of COTEE; S Murthy, President of AIFEE; V Sampath Kumar of AIFOPDE; Samar Sinka, General Secretary of AIPF; Soma Sekar, President of AIPF; Rathnakar, General Secretary of AIPEF; and A Sekkizhar, General Secretary of TNEBEF. Leaders from Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana also participated.

The convention resolved to establish a regional chapter of NCCOEEE, with S Rajendran as Convener, alongside representatives from all federations. This move aims to strengthen regional coordination and amplify the collective voice against privatisation and for workers' rights in the electricity sector.

The convention adopted the following resolutions:

Joint Protest Demonstrations: Organise joint protest demonstrations by burning the notification of the Labour Codes immediately after its announcement. These demonstrations will be held at all power stations, sub-stations, and offices on the day of or the day following the announcement.

State-Level Joint Conventions: Conduct massive state-level joint conventions by April 15, 2025, to mobilise workers and build momentum against the Labour Codes.

Preparation of Joint Leaflets: Create two separate joint leaflets – one focusing on the Labour Codes and the other addressing specific issues related to the electricity sector.

Distribution of Leaflets: Distribute the joint leaflets to all electricity employees and engineers to raise awareness and build solidarity.

Gate Meetings: Organise gate meetings in the last week of April 2025 to campaign against the Labour Codes and educate workers about their implications.

Massive Rallies: Hold massive rallies at state capitals by the first week of May 2025 to demonstrate the collective strength and resolve of electricity employees and engineers.

Community Outreach: Engage electricity employees and engineers in community outreach through street corner meetings, small public meetings, and door-to-door campaigns to garner public support.

Participation in National Strike: Ensure active participation of electricity employees and engineers in the National Strike announced by the Central Trade Unions against the Labour Codes. Separate strike notices will be submitted by electricity sector unions and associations.

Mass Mobilisation: Organise mass mobilisation at district headquarters on the day of the strike to maximise participation and visibility.

Reconvening of NCCOEEE Southern Region: The NCCOEEE, Southern region, will reconvene immediately after the National Strike by the Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions to prepare for the historic Power Sector Strike on June 26, 2025.

The convention called for resisting the Labour Codes, protecting workers' rights, and strengthening the collective voice of electricity employees and engineers across the region.