SKM Warns Centre Against Passing Electricity Amendment Bill 2022

The Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2022 should not be introduced or approved during the Monsoon session of Parliament, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha warned the Union Government on Thursday.

The farmer union said they had learned that the Union Cabinet had already approved the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2022, and the government was likely to introduce and pass it during the current monsoon session of Parliament.

"One of the primary objectives of the one-year-long farmers' struggle was the withdrawal of this Bill. The Union Government wrote the Samyukta Kisan Morcha on December 9, 2021, stating that there would first be a discussion with all stakeholders regarding the provisions in the Electricity Bill that have an impact on farmers. The Bill won't be presented to Parliament until after the conversation with the Morcha." In a statement, SKM stated

SKM added that no such conversation had ever occurred in the previous eight months. In light of this, the Union Government's own written assurances have been blatantly betrayed.

The Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2022 seeks to ensure private companies' entry into the electricity distribution sector, according to SKM.

SKM also stated in a statement that if the bill is passed, the government will make large profits by raising electricity prices for farmers and all other groups of people.

"Cross-subsidization will disappear. Abolishing free or inexpensive electricity for farmers. Farmers' production costs will continue to grow. Both in rural and urban areas, domestic power rates will skyrocket. Engineers' and power workers' jobs will be negatively impacted "It added further.

The National Coordination Committee of Electricity Employees and Engineers has called for nationwide demonstrations on August 9 and a stop to work if the government unilaterally introduces and passes the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2022. The SKM has also issued a call for immediate massive nationwide protests if this happens.