Chandigarh: Power restored as electricity department staff ends strike against privatisation

In major relief for the residents of Chandigarh, the strike by employees of the electricity department reportedly ended on February 23.

The Union Territory had to deal with a power outage for around two days after employees went on strike on February 21 under the banner of UT Powermen Union.

The blackout had affected water supply, and services were badly hit - from hospitals to traffic lights. Power supply was restored in many parts of Chandigarh by February 23 evening, as per reports.

ALSO WATCH | BJP candidate becomes Chandigarh's new mayor, AAP loses by a single vote

The employees were protesting against the privatisation of the department. They feared a change in the service conditions, and had also warned of a possible rise in power tariffs.

On February 22, the Chandigarh administration had invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) to ban strikes by the electricity department for 6 months.