Bengaluru; Karnataka’s electricity contractors union has urged the government to immediately cancel the tender floated by BESCOM covering 18 divisions, alleging that the process sidelines local contractors. They warned of intensifying their agitation if the tender is not withdrawn.
The union claims that despite repeated appeals to the Energy Minister and KPTCL’s Managing Director, BESCOM has continued with the tendering process in violation of prior assurances. A pre-bid meeting originally scheduled for today was postponed to July 17, but union leaders clarified that the tender itself has not been cancelled.
Addressing a large gathering of contractors, union leaders said they had mobilized support from all district-level office-bearers and state executive committee members to oppose what they describe as an “anti-local” move. “We were promised that any such tender would be held back until a policy decision is taken at the government level, after consultation with local representatives and company directors. That hasn’t happened,” a senior union leader said.
ಇದನ್ನೂ ಓದಿ: Bescom Tenders: ಬೆಸ್ಕಾಮ್ಬೆ ಟೆಂಡರ್ ರದ್ದುಪಡಿಸಿ ಸ್ಥಳೀಯ ಗುತ್ತಿಗೆದಾರರಿಗೆ ಕೆಲಸ ನೀಡಿ: KSLECA ಒತ್ತಾಯ
Citing ongoing financial losses and lack of work for over three years, they warned, “If the tender is not scrapped and fresh orders not issued as per the minister’s previous commitment, we will block BESCOM’s portal and escalate the protest statewide.”
The union also referenced ongoing developments regarding the controversial Occupancy Certificate (OC) policy, indicating that high-level meetings involving the Chief Minister, Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, and Additional Chief Secretary have already taken place. “If OC is implemented without safeguards, thousands of unorganized workers and local contractors will be affected. We are ready for legal and political action if needed,” they added.
The union emphasized that their fight is not for personal gain but to protect the livelihoods of thousands of grassroots workers. “This struggle is not about lakhs or crores, but about Rs 3000 jobs. If BESCOM and the government continue ignoring us, we will have no option but to take to the streets.”
They also urged members not to be misled by unofficial social media messages and to follow only official communications issued by KSLECA, calling it an apolitical and caste-neutral organization fighting for just worker rights.
