Outsourced Employees of Himachal Electricity Board Protest Over Termination of Drivers

Shimla, December 16: The Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Outsource Employees Union staged a strong protest outside the board’s headquarters today, demanding the reinstatement of 81 outsourced drivers whose services were abruptly terminated. The protest saw a large turnout of outsourced employees from across the state, highlighting widespread dissatisfaction with the recent dismissal.

The 81 drivers, who had been serving the board for 12 to 13 years, were informed of their termination on November 1, 2024, leading to an outpouring of frustration and resentment among the workers. These employees, once a key part of the board’s operations, are now left without jobs, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty within the workforce.

The dharna gained additional momentum with the backing of the Joint Front. Convenor E. Lokesh Thakur and Co-Convenor Heera Lal Verma, while addressing the protesters, informed them that the state government had agreed to reconsider the decision during ongoing negotiations. Talks between the board management and the Joint Front are scheduled for December 23, after the assembly session, to discuss the matter further. However, Thakur expressed concerns over the delay in resolving the issue and pressed for the immediate reinstatement of the 81 drivers.

Key members of the Outsource Employees Union, including State President Ashwani Sharma, Secretary Rajesh Chauhan, and Senior Vice President Punit Soni, also spoke at the rally, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. Sharma warned that if the management fails to address the demands swiftly, the union’s 3,100 outsourced employees would have no choice but to escalate the issue into a statewide agitation.

The protest reflects growing unrest within the outsourced workforce of the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board, who are now calling for justice and job security.