CPM supports HPSEB union strike against its trifurcation

Shimla, May 29 (UNI) The CPM today extended its support to the ongoing agitation by the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (HPSEB) union against its trifurcation, saying it was first step towards privatisation of production, transmission and distribution of power.

''The big private players like Reliance, Tatas, Birlas and Jaypee are eagerly waiting the dismantling of the board so that they could bid and own it thereby creating monopoly,'' party secretary Rakesh Singha said here.

He observed that HPSEB's trifurcation would be against the interests of common man, workers and students as the electricity tariff would rise exponentially and beyond the reach of the common man.

Justifying the strike, Mr Singha said the ongoing agitation by the board's union members was in the interests of the nation and added that the party would mobilise support for the electricity employees.

The party also urged the state government to defer the dismantling of the board as it was against the interests of the people of the state and board employees, he added.

UNI AS PS SG AS1530