Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Energy Department has written to the Director General of Police seeking strict enforcement of the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), 1988, against the ongoing strike by power utility workers under TPCODL, warning of possible widespread power disruptions and law-and-order problems.
In a letter, Additional Chief Secretary Vishal Kumar Dev asked the DG & IG of Police to ensure stringent action against any breach of the Act by the association or its officials. The strike, launched on October 1 by members of Nikhila Odisha Bidyut Mazdoor Mahasangha (NOBMM) — affiliated to BMS Odisha and led by its Secretary General Satyabrata Parida — continues within TPCODL’s jurisdiction despite management efforts to resolve the issues through dialogue.
TPCODL is responsible for electricity distribution across nine districts of Odisha, including Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. The department cautioned that continuation of the stir, including mass dharna and complete stoppage of work, could seriously disrupt the uninterrupted supply of electricity, cause hardship to the public and essential service establishments, and give rise to law-and-order issues.
The Essential Services Maintenance Act was invoked on power utilities including GRIDCO, OPTCL, OHPC, OPGC and the DISCOMs through a Home Department order dated May 21, 2026.
The order remains in force until November 20, 2026, to prevent strikes and maintain industrial peace. The Energy Department has requested local police administrations to take all permissible action under ESMA to ensure uninterrupted electricity services and prevent similar incidents in future.
