Bengaluru, June 30
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar declared that the state government is firmly against privatization in the power sector, assuring that no parallel distribution licences will be granted to private companies. Speaking at a massive convention of nearly 30,000 power employees and engineers in Bengaluru, he referred to Tata Power’s proposal for a parallel distribution licence and announced that the upcoming Cabinet meeting will take a final decision in line with the government’s anti‑privatization stand, after considering employees’ views.
Earlier, the Energy Minister had categorically stated that the government believes in strengthening and reforming the power sector with the active participation of employees and engineers, not through privatization.
The convention was organized by the KEB Engineers Association and the Power Employees Federation. Both organizations presented a memorandum to the Chief Minister demanding withdrawal of the proposal for parallel distribution licences, complete opposition to privatization, and restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).