Lucknow, June 10 -- Over 27 lakh power sector employees across India will go on a nationwide strike on July 9 to protest against the proposed privatisation of power distribution in 42 Uttar Pradesh districts. The strike will be preceded by district-level protests on July 2, the NCCEEE made an announcement in this regard after its Delhi visit on Monday. According to a senior UP trade union leader and AIPEF chairman Shailendra Dubey, the committee warned that a symbolic nationwide strike would be held the moment UP floats a privatisation tender. It also urged the Centre to intervene and halt the process in public interest, citing the potential impact on farmers, households and the poor. "NCCEEE leaders will also attend a mass convention in Lucknow on June 22, where a larger public movement against privatisation may be announced," he said. Meanwhile, the UP government has banned strikes in the power sector in the state for next six months under the Maintenance of Essential Services Act. The government issued an order in this regard on June 6. htc...