MSEB trifurcation — Major unions renew stir threat

The issue came up again this year when the Energy Minister spoke about the possibility of splitting the MSEB. Another wave of protest by employees forced the Government again to hurriedly issue a denial.

The unions were up in arms again in May this year when reports appeared in a section of the press saying that the Government was going ahead with the move to split the MSEB.

High-level meetings involving top Government officals and ministers were slated to be held on May 30 to finalise the Government policy on this issue.

Registering a strong protest, the unions issued a call for state-wide indefinite strike from June 21.

Their aggressive stand forced Energy Minister Dr Padamsingh Patil to conevene a tripartite meeting between the MSEB officials, representatives of major unions and the Government officials at Mumbai on June 14.

The meeting culminated with the MSEB officials and the Minister signing a joint statement saying that there was no move to split the MSEB. They also assured that the unions would be consulted before taking any major decision.

Apparently satisfied with the Minister’s written assurance, the unions called off their proposed state-wide strike.

Within a week of the signing the agreement, Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh hinted at possibility of the Government going ahead with the trifurcation move.

He gave the hints while proceeding on foreign trip along with a high-level delegation consisting of his Cabinet colleagues and senior Government officials.

Reacting sharply to reports about the Chief Minister’s statement, the unions renewed their strike threat. Gate meetings were held all over the State to warn the Government that MSEB employees would go on flash strike if the Government dares to implement the trifurcation plan.

The unions also issued a joint statement calling for employees to be prepared for an agitation. The statement is signed by Mohan Sharma of MSEB Workers Federation, K K Hardas of BMS-affiliated Veej Kamgar Mahasangh, Sheshrao Dange of INTUC-affiliated federation, K S Patil of the backward classes employees union, Kavish Dange of Sub-ordinate Engineers Association, Jeevan Raut of Rashtrawadi Sanghatana, Sunil Sawle of Graduate Engineers Association and Tanksale of Office Staff Association. The Officers Association has also signed the statement.