Employees of AP Power Generation Corporation, AP Power Transmission Corporation and three power distribution companies are set to launch an indefinite strike from tomorrow to protest the proposed bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, pushing it into further crisis.

As this is one sector where there is little scope for alternative arrangements without manpower, the Genco, the Transco and the Discoms came out with an open appeal to the employees to reconsider their decision in public interest.

On behalf of all the power utilities in the state, we appeal to all electricity employees, who served the strike notice to reconsider their proposed strike, taking the prevailing situation of power in the state into cognisance, chairman cum managing directors of Transco, Genco and AP Central Power Distribution Company appealed here today.

Addressing a press conference along with Genco CMD K Vijayanand and CPDCL CMD Syed Ali Murtaza Rizvi, Transco CMD Suresh Chanda pointed out that the state had been going through a severe power crisis and financial crisis for the past two years particularly, due to severe shortage of natural gas and depleted water levels in reservoirs of hydro power stations. If a large number of engineers and workmen proceed on strike, it may hamper the grid system and will affect consumer service badly. This may further worsen the financial situation of the power utilities, which are managing a hand-to-mouth existence, Chanda said.

"We need not only power but also manpower to run the grid properly. The strike will impact power generation as well as transmission and distribution even if a section of the employees strike work," he added.

Asked if they had any contingency plan in view of the strike, the Transco CMD observed: We are positive. Hope the situation doesn't need to use a contingency plan. He said top priority would be given to ensure uninterrupted power supply to railways, hospitals and drinking water supply schemes.

The Transco CMD said they were holding talks with employees, who constituted a Joint Action Committee, and trying to convince them to call off the strike. The Essential Services Maintenance Act is already in force in all the power utilities but we are positive that the employees will reconsider their decision to go on strike, Chanda said. Energy Co-ordination Cell member-secretary A Chandrasekhar Reddy was also present at the press conference.