**Executive Summary**
The Gujarat Government Gazette, published on February 18, 2026, declares employment in industries generating, transmitting, or distributing electricity to the public, including electrical power trading and coordination, as essential services. This declaration, made under the Gujarat Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1972, prohibits strikes in these sectors for a period of six months starting March 20, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Essential Services Declaration:**
* All employment in industries that generate, transmit, or distribute electricity to the public are declared essential services.
* This includes activities related to trading of electrical power and coordination.
* **Legal Basis:**
* The declaration is made under sub-clause (ii) of clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 2 of the Gujarat Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1972.
* **Strike Prohibition:**
* Strikes in the declared essential services are prohibited under sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Gujarat Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1972.
* **Effective Period:**
* The declaration is effective for six months, starting from March 20, 2026.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Employees in Electricity Generation, Transmission, and Distribution Industries**
**Impact**
* The ability to strike is suspended for six months.
* Continued employment and operation in these industries is deemed essential for maintaining public utility services and community life.
**Action Required**
* Employees must refrain from participating in any strike activity within the defined period.
* Employees must continue to maintain essential services for the public.
Key Entities Referenced
Gujarat Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1972: The primary law enabling the government to declare essential services and prohibit strikes within those sectors in Gujarat.
Energy & Petrochemicals Department: The Gujarat government department issuing the notification related to declaring the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity as essential services.
Gandhinagar: The location of the Sachivalaya, where the notifications and orders are issued.