Punjab: Farmers across Punjab held statewide protests outside Punjab PowerCom offices on Monday, opposing the Electricity Amendment Bill 2025 introduced by the central government. The demonstrations were organised by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, which alleged that the proposed legislation would raise power costs for agricultural consumers.
Farmer leaders argued that if the bill is passed, electricity for agricultural fields will become more expensive, and government power utilities would gradually be handed over to corporate groups. They compared the bill to the three controversial farm laws introduced by the central government in 2020, asserting that it is a continuation of the same policies.
Speaking at the protest sites, farmer representatives claimed the bill aims to privatise power distribution, which they warned would be harmful to both farmers and ordinary consumers. They said the bill could end affordable and free electricity benefits currently provided to households and farmers, allowing private companies to set arbitrary, higher prices.
Farmers also declared that they would not allow Punjab’s public power sector to be transferred into private hands under any circumstances. They demanded that the government immediately withdraw the Electricity Amendment Bill 2025.
In Tarn Taran, protesters gathered outside the office of the Deputy Chief Engineer (Border Zone) of Punjab PowerCom, raising slogans against both the state and central governments’ “anti-people policies.” Similar protests were held in Sangrur, where farmers blocked the entrance of the local power office.
Protesters criticised the government for making promises of free power during elections while simultaneously pushing for reforms like chip-based prepaid electricity meters. They claimed these new meters would function like mobile recharges, limiting electricity usage unless consumers top up their balance.
