Tue Oct 14 03:50:53 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the provided text and a rewritten version as a news article:

**Summary:**

The All India Electricity Consumers’ Association (AIECA) is organizing a South India zone convention in Bengaluru on October 26th to protest the privatization of the power sector and the implementation of smart meters. The convention aims to unite electricity consumers from several southern states to strengthen the movement against policies perceived to favor corporations over the public’s right to affordable electricity. The organization argues that the government is treating electricity as a commodity for profit instead of an essential service and opposes the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2020.
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**News Article:**

**South Indian Electricity Consumers to Unite Against Privatization in Bengaluru Convention**

**Bengaluru, October 14, 2025** – The All India Electricity Consumers’ Association (AIECA) is set to host a major South India zone convention in Bengaluru on October 26th, escalating the fight against the privatization of the power sector and the controversial implementation of smart meters. The convention, to be held at Gandhi Bhavan, aims to bring together electricity consumers from across Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana.

Speaking to the press in Dharwad, AIECA State unit secretary Jnanamurthy stated that the Bengaluru convention is part of a national series aimed at building momentum against policies perceived as detrimental to consumers. “The objective is to strengthen the fight against privatization and to oppose smart meters in Karnataka,” he emphasized.

The AIECA argues that the Union Government has failed to honor its promise to withdraw the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2020, a key point of contention during the historic farmers’ agitation in Delhi. The association contends the bill favors corporate interests at the expense of providing affordable electricity as an essential service.

The convention will feature addresses from a host of activists and leaders from various organizations, including representatives from AIKKMS (All India Krishak Khet Mazdoor Sanghathan), demonstrating solidarity with electricity consumers. AIECA all India president Swapan Ghosh will inaugurate the event.

“Power is people’s right and an essential service,” Jnanamurthy asserted. “The government is bent on making it a commodity of business, which should be strongly opposed.” The AIECA views the new bill as a move to benefit corporations and private companies, with the support of state governments. The convention is intended to galvanize a stronger people’s movement against these policies.

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