Ludhiana, July 14 -- With the ongoing paddy season requiring uninterrupted electricity, substations workers in Ludhiana have flagged operational whammy due to a severe manpower crisis and an ongoing "work-to-rule" protest by technical staff. As a result, fault repairs especially after duty hours are getting delayed by hours, leading to prolonged power outages in several urban pockets.

Notably, under the protest, which began on June 25, regular substation employees are refusing to work beyond their duty hours or attend phone calls post 5 pm. Their demands include regular recruitment to fill vacant posts, rollback of privatisation efforts, improved safety gear and infrastructure, better working conditions, and proper compensation for worke...