The strike launched by the Andhra Pradesh electricity employees pushed the State towards a major power crisis on the second day on Monday as power generation and transmission were affected to a large extent.
Power generation in thermal and hydro-electric stations went down by over half from the normal 11,000 MW to a little over 5,000 MW towards the evening on Monday. As a result, unprecedented power cuts were imposed on the domestic sector in rural areas and to some extent in urban areas, while the power supply to agriculture and industrial sectors was completely blocked. Official sources said that power supply to a possible extent was being ensured based on the partial generation in some of the APGenco’s plants, supplies from national pool and purchases from outside the State.
Talks between the representatives of 30 striking unions led by AP Electricity Employees’ JAC, the managements of APGenco, APTransco, four Discoms and Energy Department officials were on since 11 a.m.
The striking employees are adamant on their demands, including pay revision by 27.5 per cent as recommended by the Pay Revision Commission, extending the benefit to contract staff, provision of medical insurance facility to the contract employees on par with regular staff and regularisation of contract staff in phased manner.
The managements have agreed to the pay revision of regular staff but the deadlock was continuing on the remaining demands even as the heads of power utilities resumed talks in the evening after talking to Chief Secretary P.K. Mohanty on the deliberations held till lunch time.
Convenor of the Electricity Employees’ JAC Seetharami Reddy asked the striking staff to continue stir till they announce withdrawal after the acceptance of their demands by the government.
