Artisans to Stage Dharna at TGSPDCL Office

The Telangana Vidyuth Artisans Joint Action Committee, an umbrella body of nine associations, has announced a lunch-hour dharna at the TGSPDCL head office here on Wednesday to protest the government’s failure to address their long-pending demands. The committee said it had withdrawn its strike unconditionally three months ago on the assurance of Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka that their issues would be resolved.

In a statement, JAC convener S. Sailu said Prof. Haragopal and Prof. K. Nageswara Rao were expected to attend the dharna, extend solidarity with the artisans and address the gathering.

The artisans’ demands include regularisation of service based on educational qualifications, implementation of APSEB service rules, absorption of manned workers in the two discoms, regularisation of all outsourced contract labour working with power utilities since December 4, 2016, payment of minimum wages as per GO No. 11 to all piece-rate workers, and implementation of the 2026 Pay Revision Committee recommendations.

Meanwhile, TGSPDCL issued a circular stating that strikes had been prohibited in all power utilities for six months from February 25 to August 24 under the Telangana Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1971. Southern discom CMD Jitesh V. Patil asked officials to inform artisans not to participate in Wednesday’s protest, warning that action would be taken against those who violated the order.