Puducherry Opposition plans more protests against privatisation of electricity department

The INDIA bloc is set to launch a fresh wave of protests against the proposed privatisation of the core operations of the Puducherry Electricity Department today.

The privatisation plan was considered to have been put on the backburner after widespread protests by electricity workers in September 2022, challenging the ill-advised move to unbundle assets of a State entity with a stable performance profile.

The protests quickly gained the solidarity of Opposition and activist groups, drew government reassurances to uphold the public interest, and led to litigation in the Madras High Court.

In its filing, Adani Energy Solutions Limited (AESL) intimated to the National Stock Exchange India Limited to incorporate Adani Electricity Puducherry Limited (AEPL) as a wholly-owned subsidiary, to undertake electricity business operations in the Union Territory.

Home Minister A. Namassivayam had, at a hurriedly convened press conference on August 29, categorically denied that the government had reached any finality on the privatisation proposal.

Addressing mediapersons, Mr. Namassivayam said a decision was made to only sell 49% of the stake to the private entity with the State controlling 51%, the decision had been challenged in the Madras High Court. Any final decision on the matter rests on the court, he added.

However, the Opposition alleged that the deal was being pushed through in a stealthy manner. Accusing the government of trying to conceal facts from the public, the INDIA bloc, following an all-party meeting of allies, announced a series of agitations in the Union Territory against the privatisation bid, beginning with a siege of the Raj Nivas.

The Opposition also plans to hold torch light rallies across Puducherry and protests at events where Chief Minister and Ministers are participating.

Former Chief Minister and Congress leader V. Narayanasamy said the disclosure at the stock exchange by the Adani Group was a clear sign that the privatisation move was being pushed through. He also alleged that if the deal came through, State assets valued at an estimated ₹20,000 crore would go to the Adani group for a paltry ₹500 crore.

The Leader of Opposition and DMK convenor R. Siva, in statement on Sunday, said the regulatory filing by the Adani Group exposed the false assurances of the government. The DMK leader called on party leaders to assemble for the INDIA bloc-led protests against the privatisation move.The Electricity Engineers and Employees’ Privatisation/Corporatisation Protest Committee is also mobilising public opinion against the NDA government’s systematic policy of privatising revenue-generating State entities. Last week, a coalition of trade union leaders addressed a seminar to highlight the imperative of protecting the electricity sector in Puducherry.