Nagpur, Oct. 9 -- Employees and officers from Maharashtra's three state-run power utilities MahaVitaran, MahaGenco and MahaTransco began an indefinite strike from midnight yesterday to protest the government's privatization plans in the electricity sector.
Led by the Maharashtra State Electricity Employees, Engineers and Officers, the agitators claimed privatization would hurt public interest, threaten jobs and raise power tariffs.
Declaring the strike as illegal under the Maharashtra Essential Services Maintenance Act (MESMA), MahaVitaran warned of disciplinary action against employees who fail to resume work.
Officials said electricity supply is an essential service and the agitation violates MESMA provisions.
Despite multiple rounds ...