Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has extended the prohibition on strikes in the electricity sector for another six months under the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), 1988.
As per the order issued by the Home (Special Section) Department, the restriction will remain in force for six months with effect from November 21, 2026.The previous order banning strikes was set to expire on November 20, 2026.
The prohibition covers all services connected with generation, transmission and distribution of electricity in all establishments of GRIDCO, OPTCL, OHPC, OPGC, TPCODL, TPNODL, TPSODL and TPWODL and any other power generating stations in the state.
The government said the decision has been taken in the interest of the public to ensure industrial peace, optimize power generation, transmission and distribution and maintain continuity in power supply in the state.
The order has been issued under sub-section (3) of Section 3 of the Odisha Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1988 (Odisha Act 9 of 1992). Any violation will attract action as per the ESMA Act.
