Chandigarh: The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), along with nearly 60 organisations representing farmers, workers, employees, students and women, on Friday announced a major statewide agitation in Punjab against the proposed Electricity Amendment Bill 2025, Seed Bill 2025, privatisation of the public sector, sale of government and institutional land, and the four labour codes.
The decision was taken at a joint meeting held at Kisan Bhawan in Chandigarh, where participating organisations resolved to intensify public mobilisation to press for the withdrawal of what they termed “anti-people and pro-corporate” policies of the Centre.
As part of the agitation, the meeting unanimously decided to observe a “Black Day” across Punjab a day after the Electricity Amendment Bill 2025 is tabled in Parliament. During the protest, railway tracks will be blocked for three hours from noon to 3 pm, while toll plazas across the state will be opened for free movement of vehicles. Several employee bodies, including electricity department staff and teachers’ unions, will organise gate rallies while wearing black badges and black clothing. District-level joint meetings have been scheduled for December 15 to ensure effective implementation of the protest programme.
The meeting was chaired by senior farmer leaders Joginder Singh Ugrahan, Harinder Singh Lakhowal, Buta Singh Burjgill, Raminder Singh Patiala, Baldev Singh Nihalgarh, Binder Singh Golewal and Tajinder Singh Rajewal. It witnessed participation from a broad range of organisations, including agricultural and rural labour unions, electricity employees’ groups, technical and engineering associations, transport and factory workers’ unions, employees’ federations, student bodies and women’s organisations.
Opposing the Electricity Amendment Bill 2025, the organisations said the proposed legislation aims to transform electricity from a public utility into a market-driven commodity, calling it a continuation of the Centre’s corporate-oriented agenda. To counter this, they announced a statewide awareness and mobilisation campaign from December 28 to January 4, which will include village-to-city outreach programmes, rallies, demonstrations, motorcycle marches, flag marches and drum processions. A large sit-in protest has also been planned outside the offices of Superintending Engineers of the Electricity Department on January 16.
The meeting further resolved to intensify opposition to the four labour codes, the sale of land belonging to public and government institutions, and other policy measures affecting farmers and workers. Participants criticised the Punjab government for remaining silent on the Electricity Amendment Bill and Seed Bill 2025, accusing it of aligning with the Centre’s pro-corporate approach.
Resolutions were also passed condemning the alleged misbehaviour of the Odisha Police and corporate-backed groups against SKM National Coordination Committee leader Satyawan, as well as the reported repression of farmers protesting against an ethanol plant at Tibi in Rajasthan’s Hanumangarh district. The organisations demanded withdrawal of cases against protesting farmers, release of those detained, medical treatment for the injured and resolution of the issues through dialogue.
Additional resolutions called for the withdrawal of cases against PRTC and Punjab Roadways contract workers, opposed 100 per cent FDI in LIC, and criticised policy decisions linked to the National Education Policy 2020 and recent changes to the UGC framework.
