Chandigarh | Monday, December 22, 2025 — The agricultural heartland of Punjab is currently witnessing a massive wave of unrest as farmers, backed by labor unions and power sector employees, intensify their opposition to the proposed Electricity Amendment Bill 2025.
While a major “Rail Roko” (train blockade) scheduled for this past weekend was temporarily deferred following late-night negotiations with the state government, tensions remain high as farmer unions prepare for the next phase of their struggle.
Why Are Farmers Protesting?
The Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), the two primary bodies leading the charge, argue that the 2025 Bill is a “pro-corporate” move that threatens the very foundation of rural livelihoods. Their core concerns include:
• Fear of Privatization: Protesters believe the Bill paves the way for private corporations to take over the most profitable segments of electricity distribution, eventually dismantling the public utility model.
• Abolition of Cross-Subsidies: Farmers fear the removal of cross-subsidies will lead to a massive hike in power tariffs for rural households and the end of free electricity for tube wells, which is critical for irrigation.
• Mandatory Smart Meters: There is fierce resistance to the installation of prepaid smart meters. In districts like Ferozepur and Fazilka, farmers have reportedly uprooted over 500 such meters, handing them back to department offices as a mark of defiance.
•Assault on Federalism: Farm leaders, including Sarwan Singh Pandher, have accused the Union Government of interfering in state subjects and attacking India’s federal structure.
Recent Escalation and “Rail Roko” Threat
The past two weeks have seen a cycle of protests and government crackdowns:
• December 5: A symbolic two-hour rail blockade was attempted, but largely foiled by a massive deployment of Punjab Police. Several union leaders were reportedly detained in late-night raids.
• December 18–19: Thousands of farmers staged sit-ins outside Deputy Commissioner (DC) offices across Punjab, burning copies of the draft Bill.
• The Dec 21 Breakthrough: A planned statewide rail blockade for Saturday, Dec 20, was called off at the eleventh hour. Following a nine-hour meeting with top state officials, the Punjab government agreed to pass a formal resolution in the State Assembly opposing the Bill.
Current Status: The Deadline
Despite the temporary relief, the agitation is far from over. Today, December 22, a follow-up meeting is scheduled between KMM leaders and the state administration. The farmers have made it clear that if the Punjab government does not provide a written copy of its formal opposition to the Centre or fails to halt the “forced” installation of smart meters, the “Rail Roko” agitation will be reinstated with immediate effect.
“The government has broken its silence, which is a step in the right direction. But our demand is clear: agriculture must be excluded from these corporate-driven laws. We will not allow a single chip-meter to be installed against a farmer’s will.” — Sarwan Singh Pandher, Senior Leader, KMM.
Broader Demands
The unions have also tied this protest to other unresolved issues, including:
- Compensation of ₹1 crore for families of farmers who died during the recent floods.
- Withdrawal of the Draft Seed Bill 2025.
- Cancellation of all police cases registered against farmers during previous agitations.