AIPEF asks PM to intervene, demands withdrawal of Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2021

• The bill is scheduled to be introduced in the Winter Session of Parliament, which is slated to begin on November 29
• If the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2021 is not withdrawn, then 1.5 million power sector employees & engineers will resort to nationwide movement, the AIPEF has said

New Delhi: Demanding the withdrawal of the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2021, the All India Power Engineers' Federation (AIPEF) has sought intervention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and has demanded that the Ministry follow the Pre-Legislative Consultation Policy (PLCP) before introducing the bill in Parliament. In a letter addressed to the PM, AIPEF Chairman Shailendra Dubey has requested him to "direct authorities to ensure adoption of PLCP policy before introducing the Bill in Parliament."

The bill is scheduled to be introduced in the Winter Session of Parliament, which is slated to begin on November 29. 

'If bill is not withdrawn, power sector employees will go on strike'

The AIPEF has also said that if the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2021 is not withdrawn and is unilaterally introduced in Parliament's Winter Session, then 1.5 million power sector employees and engineers across the country will have no option except to resort to nationwide movement until the bill is withdrawn. Dubey said that the National Coordination Committee of Electricity Employees & Engineers' (NCCOEEE) meeting, which is scheduled to take place December 3 in Delhi, shall decide the future course of action.

Adopt PLCP before introducing Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2021

The AIPEF pointed out that the government had finalised and issued the Pre-Legislative Consultation Policy (PLCP) in 2014 which must be implemented before introducing any legislation in Parliament.

The salient points of PLCP to be adopted before placing any bill in Parliament are — proactively publishing the proposed legislation, keeping the proposal in public domain for 30 days at least, circulating the proposal to the affected people for wider public opinion, previous publication of rules is necessary, every draft legislation must have an explanatory note explaining key legal provisions in simple language, feedback/comments from the public be put on the website of the concerned ministry, Ministry should consult all stakeholders, undertake legal vetting and inter-ministerial consultation, compile summary of objections in Cabinet note, and a summary should be put before the related Standing Committee  of Parliament, said the AIPEF.

If it is not feasible to implement PLCP, then the reasons should be recorded in note to Cabinet. Dubey said that none of the above has been followed before the introduction of Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2021, and therefore, it must be withdrawn.

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