Chandigarh Power Dept Employees End Strike After 3 Days, Supply Being Restored

Many residential and industrial parts of Chandigarh faced major power outages as employees of the Electricity Department went on a three-day strike from Monday night

(Representative Image/Getty)

Chandigarh: Employees of the Chandigarh Power Department ended their three-day-long strike on Wednesday and the power supply was restored in the majority of the sectors in the city. According to Dharam Pal, Adviser to UT Administrator, employees have rejoined their duties and power supply has been restored in most of the areas. 

"Power Dept employees have rejoined their duties. Power supply has been restored in most of the areas. The Administration has been in touch with the employees over their various issues: Dharam Pal, Adviser to UT Administrator," Pal told reporters.

Many residential and industrial parts of Chandigarh faced major power outages as employees of the Electricity Department went on a three-day strike from Monday night in protest against the privatisation of the department.

Most of the places have been facing snapping of power since midnight. News agency IANS reported that even elective surgeries at the Government Medical College Hospital in Sector 32 were postponed due to the strike.

As many as 1,000 employees began the 72-hour strike on Monday night.

Residents even claimed that three helpline numbers set up for registering the complaints were not been responding to the calls.

Pal had earlier told the media they will investigate the reasons behind the power disruption. "Action will be taken against those responsible," he added.

Meanwhile, UT Powermen Union President Gopal Dutt Joshi blamed the winds for the disruption of power in Chandigarh.

"We have not disrupted the electricity supply, but we are on strike. Employees hired from neighbouring Punjab and Haryana probably are not able to detect the fault," he added.

"Shopkeepers and traders are feeling harassed over the disruption of electricity supply in the city. Electricity is an essential service and the administration should take appropriate steps to restore it," Chandigarh Beopar Mandal president Charanjiv Singh had told news agency PTI.