Most TNEB staff strike work

By Our Staff Reporter

MADURAI, DEC 12: Electricity employees in the southern districts of Madurai, Sivagangai, Theni, Dindigul and Virudhunagar districts abstained from duty today, protesting the `Power Bill 2000' which, they alleged would lead to total privatisation of the power sector.

As part of the nationwide strike, the employees of almost all units of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, joined the agitation. ``The response to strike is near total,'' claimed an union leader. However, no interruption of power was reported from any parts of the State. The hydel power generation was also not affected, official sources claimed.

Meanwhile, the members of the Madurai district unit of Tamilnadu Government Employee's Association organised a human chain in the city to extend support to the agitation.

Tiruchi

A large number of employees belonging to various unions of the TNEB in Tiruchi, Karur, Perambalur and Pudukottai districts participated in the strike.

About 1,300 out of the 3,689 employees in Tiruchi district participated in the strike today, according to TNEB sources. The employees also staged demonstrations in front of the TNEB offices in various parts of the districts.

However, there were no reports of any disruption of power supply due to the strike.

Thanjavur

Nearly 1,500 TNEB out of a total of 1,950 in Thanjavur district belonging to the CITU, AITUC, AIADMK and TMC unions went on strike today.

Members of the DMK and the Congress(I) unions did not participate in the strike. However, power supply and transmission were not affected as the Board had made arrangements to maintain the supply without interruption.

Tirunelveli

The TNEB staff, affiliated to nine trade unions, participated in the strike today in Tirunelveli district. However, members affiliated to the DMK trade union attended duty. The staff held demonstrations in Tenkasi and Kadayanallur towns, police sources said.

Ramanathapuram

Ramanathapuram district plunged into darkness following the token-strike called by several TNEB unions.

Members belonging to various unions formed a human chain in Ramanathapuram to highlight their demands.

Vellore

A majority of the nearly 3,900 employees including engineers of the TNEB in Vellore district went on a day's strike.

The Labour Progressive Front (LPF) and the TNEB SC/ST Employees Association stayed away from the strike. Electricity services were, however, not affected.

Cuddalore

In Cuddalore and Villupuram districts, the one-day strike by the engineers and employees was near total, with 90 per cent of them resorting to the strike. In a press release, Mr. R. Sridhar, secretary of the Cuddalore Unit of the Tamilnadu Electricity Employees Central Organisation, said only 180 out of a total 2,500 personnel came to duty today.

Erode

TNEB employees belonging to various trade unions went on strike today. More than 2,000 employees, including Assistant Engineers of the Board, participated in the strike.

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Section  : Southern States
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