Electricity Board strike fizzled out, says Minister

There were no workers to restore power supply in case of disruptions due to technical faults and the regular works of laying new lines were not taken up. While there were brief power disruptions in several places, the government denied that they were due to the strike. The unions too denied the charges that the workers had deliberately disrupted power supply to cause inconvenience to the people. 

Though the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Bharathiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) and National Labour Organisation (NLO) unions threatened to continue the strike indefinitely, they said that the next stage of protest would be announced later. But, a few leaders of CITU said the workers would continue the strike and they had not withdrawn it since the government had not announced any settlement. 

Meanwhile, Electricity Minister P Thangamani said the strike had totally fizzled out for lack of support among the workers. The regular works in Tangedco were not affected by the strike and power supply was maintained throughout the state. He also said all the Tangedco bill collecting centres functioned as usual and the public were not affected. The Minister also said, “The negotiations on work load and pay revision will be completed in a week and increased wages will be announced soon.” He also appealed to all the unions to withdraw the strike and join the negotiations.