Maharashtra Govt invokes MESMA; Thousands of Mahavitran employees begin 3-Day Strike

Despite a warning given by the Mahavitran employees, the Maharashtra government invoked the Maharashtra Essential Services Maintenance Act (MESMA). Owing to this, thousands of employees of three state-owned power companies went on a 72-year-hour strike starting January 4 midnight to express its agitation against the privatisation of such firms.

The protest is going on peacefully across the state Moreover, the protesting employees were sitting in pandals erected outside their establishments, said a leader of employees’ union.

As per reports, the Maharashtra government invoked MESMA last night, after employees of the power companies warned of the strike, so that law and order is maintained and public property is protected in the state.

"In view of the strike notice served by Maharashtra state electricity employees, officers, engineers, sangharsh sameetee (approximately 30 unions)... the Government has decided to invoke provisions of the Maharashtra Essential Services Maintenance Act, 2017 to ensure normalcy in the state," the government resolution said.

The government has asked the officials concerned to take all necessary steps to ensure normal supply of electricity in the state.

The Maharashtra Rajya Karmachari, Adhikari, and Abhiyanta Sangharsh Samiti have called the strike. Reportedly, Panvel and Belapur areas around Mumbai are witnessing power cuts.

Amidst the strike, Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) has assured to address issues faced by its consumer.

MSEDCL said in a tweet, “Dear consumer, we regret for the inconvenience. We kindly request you to ignore this kind of message because the strike is gonna done by union not by MSEDCL. If you are facing any issue, you can contact us. We will try to solve your problem as soon as possible.”

For those unversed, in November last year, an Adani Group company had sought licence for expanding its power distribution business into more areas of Mumbai.

Adani Electricity Navi Mumbai Ltd, a subsidiary of Adani Transmission, had applied to the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) for a parallel licence for power distribution under the jurisdiction of Mahavitaran in Bhandup, Mulund, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Panvel, Taloja and Uran areas.