Bhubaneswar, May 23 -- The Odisha government has invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) in the power generation, transmission and distribution sector, prohibiting strikes and work stoppages by employees and associated personnel for the next six months.

According to a notification issued by the Home Department's Special Section on May 21, 2026, the order has been enforced under Section 3(1) of the Odisha Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1988.

The restriction has been imposed on employees and workers engaged in GRIDCO, OPTCL, OHPC, OPGC, TPCODL, TPNODL, TPSODL and TPWODL, along with other power-generating organisations operating in the State.

The notification stated that the state government considered the move necess...