Ahead of the two-day nationwide strike called by trade unions, the power ministry on Sunday advised all t𓆏he state-run utilitꦯies and other agencies to be on high alert and ensure round-the-clock electricity supply and stability of the national grid.
A joint forum of central trade unions has called for a nationwide strike on March 28 and 29 in p൩rotest against central government's policies affecting workers of various sectꦬors.
Workers of roadways, tไransport and electricity departments have decided to join the strike in spite of the impending threat of ESMA (Essential Services Maintenance Act) which is likely to be imposed in Haryana and Chandigarh, the joint forum had said in a statement.
Financial sectors, including banking and insurance, are also joining the strike, it haꦯd said.
"The Centre of Indian Trade Unions༺ (CITU) have called for a nationwide strike with effect from 06:00 hrs of March 28 🐬to 06:00 hrs of March 30, 2022," an advisory issued by the power ministry said.
The advisor�🔯�y has been issued to all states, CPSUs (Central Public Sector Undertakings), central electricity authority, national load dispatch centre and regional load dispatch centres.
In the interest of the consumers of electricity, it is advised that all the power utilities shall take necessary measures to ensure round-the-clock functioning of the electricity grid and availability of all plants, transmissi𝔉on lines and substations, the ministry said, adding that all regional/state control room executives should be vigilant and on high alert.
The ministry also suggested meಌasures to be taken to ensure secure and reliaꦫble grid operations.
Shutdown activities planned during March 28-29 may be rescheduled to suitable futur𓂃e dates to the extent possible, it said and asked all concerned officials to ensure close supervision of thꦡeir regional network/control area.
Also, manpower may be deployed at all critical sub-stations/power station 24X7 to handles🔯 any emergency situation, i⛦t said.
Power supply to those engaged in essential services such as hospitals, defence, and railwayᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚs must be ensu🐼red, it added and suggested setting up of a 24x7 control room for information dissemination and handling any kind of contingency.
The strike n🐻otices have been given by workers' unions in the sectors such as coal, steel, oil, telecom, postal, income tax, copper, banks and insurance, amon💃g others.
Unions 🍨in railways and defence sector have planned mass mobilisation in support of the strike at several places. Unions, including INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF and UTUC are pa🧸rt of the joint forum.
