Electricity Restored In Parts Of J&K, Employee's Calls Off The Strike

The protesting employees have received assurances...

Srinagar: Electricity has been restored in many parts of Jammu and Kashmir after calling off a strike by the agitating employees of the Power Development Department. Written assurance from the administration to put on hold the proposed privatization of the power sector.

According to an official team headed by Divisional commissioner Ragav Langar, they hold a fresh talk with the employee's association (agitators) and sanctioned a written assurance on an interview on Monday-Tuesday. The protesting employees have also received assurances on other issues, including salaries, from the administration.

Soon after the midnight agreement, power employees started restoration of electricity and power was restored in most parts of Jammu and Kashmir.

Almost 20,000 employees had gone on indefinite strike against the government move to merge J&K Power Development Department into the Power Grid Corporation of India and the handing over of the assets to private companies.

The strike led to a power outage in the union territory, forcing its administration to request help from the Defense Ministry which sent the army to assist the state-run power firms to restore power.

According to an agreement, "It has been decided that the proposal of the joint venture of JKPTCL and PGCIL shall be put on hold. A committee comprising of all stakeholders including J&K power employee’s coordination committee would make recommendations to find a way forward."

According to the sources, the withdrawal of the strike comes as a relief to the masses as the Valley faces sub-zero temperatures and power outages only made matters worse for the residents.