Punjab farmers protest against Electricity Amendment Bill 2025; Warn of statewide agitation if demands ignored
Submit memorandum to Chairman, PSPCL and PM
Ferozepur, July 18, 2025:Five major farmer organizations of Punjab held powerful protests in front of electricity offices across the state from 11 AM to 2 PM, on Thursday. These demonstrations took place in Moga, Zira-Ferozepur, Kotkapura, Kapurthala, Faridkot, Rampura, Mansa, Jalandhar, Ajnala, Batala, BhikhiWind, Ludhiana, Talwara, Hoshiarpur, Ropar, Patiala, Bhogpur, Amritsar and other areas.
While addressing the protests, speakers including Surjit Singh Phool, Dilbag Singh Gill, Baldev Singh Zira, Balwant Singh Behramke, Jang Singh Bhateri, Malkit Singh Gulamiwala, Sukhwinder Kaur, Balkar Singh Bains, and Gurdhyan Singh Bhateri stated that the central demand of today’s protest is that the Electricity Amendment Bill 2025, which is set to be introduced in the upcoming monsoon session of Parliament, must not be tabled.
They said that electricity generation and transmission have already been handed over to private players, leading to skyrocketing electricity rates. If the proposed bill is passed, power distribution will also go to corporates like Adani, ending government control over electricity prices completely.
The farmer leaders declared that they will launch a massive movement with public support against this anti-people bill.
They also linked the forcible installation of chip meters with this bill, stating that with these smart meters, electricity will only be available via advance payment, giving companies like Adani a free hand to loot consumers—something the people will never accept.
Additionally, the five organizations demanded: Immediate connection approvals for farmers whose demand notices for tubewells have been pending for decades. Reduction of the current load enhancement fee from ₹7600 to ₹1000 per Horse Power. A new scheme to divide power connections of deceased farmers among all legal heirs.
They also accused the government of trying to dilute the 600 units free electricity scheme by adding hidden conditions—an act that will not be tolerated.
Speakers demanded that the contract system be abolished, the entire electricity management be brought under government control, and all contract workers be made regular government employees. The leading electricity workers' union, Technical Service Union, supported the protest at various locations.
A resolution was also passed to end the land pooling policy, which is seen as a way to snatch farmers’ land. They demanded that farming and dairy sectors be excluded from the trade deals being negotiated with the United States. Also, they called for a ban on genetically modified (GMO) crops from the US that are harmful to public health.
Finally, a memorandum was submitted to the Chairman of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited and the Prime Minister.
The leaders issued a strong warning: if the demands are ignored, the government should be ready to face an intense and aggressive agitation.