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KSEB Engineers' Association (KSEBEA) an associate of All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) had decided to actively participate in the politically motivated Pro-Congress campaign under the captaincy of INTUC leaders.
All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) had already supported the Kerala model power sector reforms, which is people centric and against privatisation policies of centre. It is ironical to note that , Sri. George Mathew, General Secretary of KSEB Engineers' Association is also an Additional Secretary General of All India Power Engineers' federation.
Earlier, Central Government had decided not to give extension to continue KSEB. Hence, Kerala Cabinet has taken a decision to retain Kerala power sector as a single entity despite centre's strong presssure to unbundle the same. AIPEF is actively campaigning against the impact of Indian Electrcity Act-2003. AIPEF has expressed serious concern that union Government is pressurizing the remaining state Governments to unbundle the state electricity boards and using coercive measures through centrally funded schemes. But, KSEBEA keeps mum against the act now and blames Kerala Government for non-extension of KSEB.Alliance of Pro-Congress leadership of KSEBEA with INTUC shattered their long standing claim that ' KSEBEA is not affiliated to any political party'. Nine organisations of officers and employees of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) lead by INTUC have come together on a common platform by name Solidarity Forum to oppose the move to keep Kerala State Electricity Board as a single power sector undertaking.
The pro-UDF unions, which have come together under the banner of KSEB Solidarity Forum, said they would launch a strike if the government were to turn the KSEB into a company. Several Congress leaders including Sri. Aryadan Muhammed attended the convention of Solidarity forum.
Some history:
When Congress lead United Democratic Front (UDF) was ruling Kerala, during 2001-2006 period, the same KSEB Engineers Association was actively campaigning for implementation of Indian Electricity Act-2003 in KSEB in tune with political lines of Congress. Sri. S.K. Yeshodharan,General Secretary of KSEBEA told the press reporters at Kollam on 25-01-2005 the following.
"The Act would help make the KSEB financially viable. The Act enabled the private sector to start power production. "That will be a positive development under the prevailing power sector scenario,". This would lead to competition and make the board more competitive. The KSEB Engineers Association is of the view that the Act would help rejuvenate the board."
Moreover He urged the Trade Unions in the board to call off what it described as a vilification campaign against the Electricity Act, 2003.
Leading news papers in Kerala published the news in detail. News Published in Hindu on 26-01-2005 will prove their double stand.
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There is no Engineers' Association for Congress? OR is this a Congress union in neutral dress?
Why professional associations like this are changing opinions when rulers changes?
Anyway, this article show the real story of this association with sufficient proof.
When almost all the unions of officers and workmen in the K.S.E.B , along with compatriots in other states were vehemently protesting and struggling against the proposed power sector privatisation and unbundling move of the central govt,the KSEBEA INTUC and BMS unions scrupulously kept away from it and played second fiddle to both the NDA and UPA governments.Their new found "sympathy" for public sector and integrity of the power sector is yet another shameless attempt to hide the subservience of their political masters' to the imperialist driven agenda of market economy as well as an impudent essay at shifting the blame on somebody else.In doing so they are only revealing their guilty conscience
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