Bandh to oppose Daman Electricity privatisation total

The bandh called to protest the proposed privatisation of the Daman-Diu Electricity Department evoked a good response on Monday.

The bandh call was given by the Daman Youth Action Force and Daman Bridge Mishap Victim Committee. It was supported by the Merchants Association, Autorickshaw Association, Taxi Association, and several other bodies.

The bandh evoked a good response with most shops, commercial establishments, co-operative banks, many nationalised banks and offices in Daman remaining closed. Autorickshaws and taxis also remained off the roads.

Around 2000 to 2500 people also participated in the rally and submitted a memorandum to the Daman-Diu administrator, Arun Mathur. The protesters have given a ten-day ultimatum to the administrator to reconsider the decision of converting the electricity department into a corporation.

The government plans to convert the electricity department into a corporation, which is seen as a first step towards the its privatisation.

"The main reason for the opposition to the government's proposal is the fact that the Daman-Diu electricity department is a profitable entity, making profit of close to Rs 50 crore. Under these circumstances, there is no valid reason to convert it into a corporation and take it closer to privatisation," Daman Bridge Mishap Victim Committee general secretary Keshav Batak said.

"We have seen several government departments being converted into corporations in the past, but none of these have contributed in any manner to public interest. We fear the same would be the case with the electricity department. Electricity would become dearer in case of the privatisation of the department and we will not let this happen," he said.

"There is brewing anger among the people of Daman over the plan to convert the electricity department into a corporation. This is more so because the local administration is acting as per its whims & wishes. The authorities are acting as if they are not bound by any rules. We want to show them the power of the people," he said.

Some prominent citizens of Daman also plan to make a representation to the Union government, Batak added.