Farmers protest in Ferozepur against power privatisation, smart meters
HARISH MONGA
Ferozepur, July 14, 2025: A massive protest was held by farmers and labourers outside the SE Office in Ferozepur today, opposing the privatisation of the power sector and the installation of smart chip-based electricity meters. The protest was organised under the leadership of District President Inderjit Singh Bath, as per the committee’s earlier announcement, under the banner of Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Punjab.
Addressing the gathering, State President Sukhwinder Singh Sabhra, along with Dharam Singh Sidhu and Gurmel Singh Fatehwal, criticised the Central Government’s move to bring the Electricity Amendment Bill 2025 during the monsoon session. They argued that this bill favours corporate houses, allowing them to earn 16% profit from electricity generation, replacing the earlier consumer-friendly provisions of the 1948 Act.
The leaders warned that privatisation would place electricity beyond the reach of common consumers and allow corporate houses to acquire thousands of acres of Punjab’s land at throwaway prices. They also opposed replacing traditional mechanical meters with prepaid smart meters.
Farmers' leaders Baljinder Singh Talwandi Nipala, Narinderpal Singh Jattala, and Ranjit Singh Khacharwala also demanded the restoration of abolished posts, new recruitments in the electricity board, the revival of the board in its original form, quick replacement of faulty transformers, eradication of corruption from offices, strict action against corrupt employees, and continuation of schemes like VDS for load enhancement at affordable rates.
Other leaders, including Surjit Singh Fauji, Amandeep Singh Kacharbhan, Harphool Singh Dulewala, Veer Singh Nijamdinwala, and others also addressed the gathering, expressing strong opposition to privatisation and reaffirming their commitment to fight for farmers’ rights.