Minutes into the 72-hour strike that the UT Powermen Union announced against privatisation of the electricity department at 11pm on Monday, lights began to go out in pockets one by one—sectors 44 and 45 were among the first. The power cut in some sectors like 32 and 40 lasted more than a shocking 20-22 hours — common in neighboring Punjab’s Zirakpur lying on the periphery but not for a planned city claiming to have a strong infrastructure. At many places, power has still not returned.
Dr Akanksha Gupta, a resident of Manimajra Housing Complex, said they have no idea when the supply would be restored. “Nobody was picking helpline numbers,” she said. Another feature of the city’s worst day was while one part of the sector had electricity, another did not. “I failed to understand why there was no power in different parts of the city, whereas others were getting full supply. The authorities should have made plans in advance to tackle the situation,” said Gupta.
Left with no option, many families landed up at houses of their relatives and friends in Panchkula, Mohali and Zirakpur. Rekha, a resident of Sector 44, was one of them. “Power went off just after 11 pm on Monday. I will be staying at my parents’ house in Mohali along with my husband and children for the next three days,” she said, adding the UT helplines went unanswered and the decision to shift was taken to ensure uninterrupted online education for her children.
ACTION TAKEN
The UT administration invoked Essential Services Act under powers conferred by sub-section 3 of the East Punjab Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1968, prohibiting strike by the engineering department (electricity wing) by any of their employees for a period of six months with immediate effect.
Talks break down again
Gopal Dutt Joshi, general secretary, UT Powermen Union, said UT adviser Dharam Pal held a meeting with them on Tuesday. The employees demanded the UT should not issue letter of intent to successful bidder till the high court decided the matter. The adviser assured he could hold the matter till the next hearing on March 10 but not after that, an offer that was rejected, Joshi said.
WHAT NEXT:
With no back-up plan in sight, it could turn worse. Police rounded up some union leaders. They were told to join duties by Wednesday, else action would be taken
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