Besides one holding company, four others were formed to manage transmission, distribution, generation and trading.

'We want CSEB to be retained as single entity as done in Kerala,' P.N. Singh, chairman of the Employees-Officials Coordination Committee of the CSEB, told reporters.

'We will go for a total strike Monday to press our demand though government has declared it illegal,' he said.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Raman Singh said the production, transmission and distribution of power come under essential services and any move to disrupt the services will be dealt with strongly.

He rejected the idea that government would take a re-look at its decision of splitting CSEB into five companies. 'Government had taken the decision to disintegrate CSEB into five companies after considering all aspects,' Singh said.