Allahabad HC Takes Grim View Of Powermen Strike, Stops Salary Of A Month And Pension Of Striking Employee Leaders

Prayagraj, March 25 (TNA) The Allahabad High Court (HC) has taken a grime view of the powermen strike in the state recently and has ordered stopping of one month’s salary of the striking employee leaders and stopping of their pension. It also warned them of serious consequences if a strike is done again.

The court also said that the strike cannot hinder the facilities of the common man and the functioning of important institutions like hospitals, including banks cannot be disrupted. Describing the strike of electrical workers as illegal, unconstitutional, the HC also refused to interfere in the talks between the workers' leaders and the government. It observed that the path of dialogue between the two will however remain open.

The court will now hear the matter on April 24. This order was given by the division bench of Justice Acting Chief Justice Pritinkar Diwakar and Justice SD Singh while hearing the application filed by Vibhu Rai in the suo motu public interest litigation. The court also observed that despite repeated requests, the workers' leaders failed to give an assurance that they would not go on strike in future, causing inconvenience to the common people.

The court also cited the details of the damage estimated by Additional Advocate General Manish Goyal in its order. It has been said that according to the estimates of Power Corporation, Rs two thousand crores in production, transmission and distribution, loss of Rs five thousand crores to consumers and about Rs 30 lakhs to various institutions including commercial establishments, hospitals, industries, banks, schools, railways happened during the strike. 129 FIRs have been registered in this matter.

The powermen were on strike for 65 hours for three consecutive days after giving notice on March 16. Due to this, the power system in Uttar Pradesh was badly affected.

After receiving the application, the court summoned the employee leaders by issuing warrants. Along with this, after hearing in this matter on March 20, it had reserved its decision. The court had said that electricity supply is an essential service. Supply disruption is a serious matter. This cannot be tolerated.