SHILLONG, June 27: The Meghalaya Power Workers’ Union (MPWU) has announced a symbolic protest against the privatisation of the electricity sector by wearing black badges during office hours on July 9.
The decision was unanimously adopted during a recent union meeting held in Shillong.
In a statement issued after the meeting, MPWU general secretary KB Chyne said the union is extending its solidarity to the nationwide resistance against the privatisation of the power sector.
The union maintains that essential services like electricity should prioritize public welfare over profit-making interests.
Chyne added that the MPWU is supporting the broader movement led by the National Coordination Committee of Electricity Employees & Engineers, and has endorsed the 17-point Charter of Demands formulated by the Central Trade Unions. Among the union’s key demands are: a halt to privatization efforts, greater transparency in policy decisions, and stronger safeguards for consumer rights.
The meeting also took note of a notification issued by the state government on May 7, 2025, which prohibits strikes in essential services related to electricity. While appreciating the government’s swift action to protect these services, the union expressed hope that the state would uphold its position and avoid compromising with private entities.
The MPWU emphasised the critical role electricity plays in everyday life and warned that its absence—or unchecked commercialization—could significantly impact quality of life and hamper overall human progress.
After reviewing the current developments and the government’s continued push for privatisation, the union resolved to move forward with the black badge demonstration as a peaceful yet resolute stand for a more equitable and sustainable energy future.
