Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025 spurs protests from workers and farmers
The new Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025, has stirred up a nationwide protest.
Around 2.7 million power sector workers, including engineers and linemen, are gearing up for a big strike, and farmer unions have also raised concerns.
Both groups are worried about how the bill could change the way electricity is distributed and who gets to control it.
Bill would allow multiple power distributors
The bill wants to let multiple companies distribute power in the same area, which the government says will mean better service and lower prices.
But farmers fear they will lose free or subsidized electricity, while workers worry that more privatization could put their jobs at risk.
States are also uneasy about losing control over tariffs and subsidies.
The bill has not been introduced in Parliament yet, but it is already sparking strong reactions across the country.