What Is Happening in Odisha? Why Are Tata Power’s Contract Workers Protesting?

Image Credit: Tata Power | License: CC BY-SA 4.0 | No changes made.

What is happening in Odisha? Contractual electricity workers associated with Tata Power’s distribution companies have been protesting for more than 40 days. Why are they protesting day and night? Somewhere, there must be serious concerns that have forced these workers to leave their homes and families and sit on the streets demanding justice.

If workers are protesting for more than 40 days, shouldn’t the Odisha government listen to their demands? What are they asking for? Why has the situation continued for so long?

The workers are raising concerns about job security, the reinstatement of dismissed workers, tender-based layoffs and their contractual employment system. Some workers have also raised concerns about changes in contractors and the uncertainty surrounding their jobs.

The Odisha government should listen to them and find a solution. The government has taken steps to enforce ESMA against the strike, but stopping a strike and resolving employees’ genuine problems are two different things.

Tata Power, what is your answer?

What made so many workers come out and protest? If you are saying that no contractual employees have been removed from their jobs and that workers are being paid properly, then why are they protesting for so many days?

Tata Power’s Odisha distribution chief recently said that no contractual workers had been retrenched. According to the company, 374 workers had been identified for redeployment, and around 200 had already moved to new assignments. The company has also asked the protesting workers to return by November 15, 2026.

But Tata Power, if everything is fine, then why are workers still raising these concerns? You need to sit with them and answer their questions.

Workers also have families. They have parents and responsibilities at home. Are you happy seeing them leave their homes and spend day and night protesting? Just as you have the responsibility to run your company, workers have the responsibility to look after their families.

If you are treating your employees this way, then why should Tata Power continue operating in Odisha? If you cannot resolve their genuine problems, why not leave Odisha?

Tata Power, Why Are Electricity Consumers Facing High Bills?

Now let’s talk about the people of Odisha who consume electricity.

Tata Power, you are not only dealing with your employees. You are also responsible for providing electricity to consumers. People have questions about their electricity bills. Why are some households receiving such high bills even after reducing their electricity consumption?

Let’s remember the old days.

Earlier, people used 100-watt electric bulbs in their homes. Many people used to keep those bulbs switched on for hours. Today, people have replaced them with 5-watt, 9-watt and 10-watt LED bulbs.

People are trying to control their electricity consumption. They are using less electricity wherever possible.

Still, why are some consumers complaining about high electricity bills?

Tata Power, answer this question.

What was different about the old electricity meters? Why do people feel that their bills were lower with the old meters, but are now higher with the new meters?

A 100-watt bulb consumes more electricity than a 5-watt or 10-watt LED bulb when used for the same amount of time. So, when people are using lower-wattage bulbs and trying to save electricity, why are some of them still facing high bills?

Is there a problem with the meter? Is it the billing calculation? Or is there another reason?

Tata Power, explain everything to consumers. Show them their actual electricity consumption, meter readings and billing calculations. If your meters are working correctly, then prove it with transparent information.

People are questioning your billing system. Somewhere, consumers feel that they are being overcharged.

Tata Power, are you listening to the people, or do you have no answer?

Odisha Government, Where Is the Accountability?

The Odisha government also needs to answer the