Chandigarh, Aug. 12 -- Nearly 15,000 employees of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) across the state began their three-day strike on Monday, bringing a large part of the grievances redressal at halt and affecting supplies in some areas.

The PSPCL responded by invoking the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), issuing a warning of strict penalties. Under the ESMA, striking employees face possible termination, cancellation of promotions for those on probation and even imprisonment of up to three years along with penalties. The directive also states that contractual, work-charged, daily wage and contingent staff participating in the strike risk losing their jobs.

Junior engineers, linemen, clerks and other staff stopp...