Power Engineers’ dispute with PSPCL management escalates after letter to CM; key association members transferred
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ December 23,2025
Few minutes ago Punjab State Power Corporation limited (PSPCL) management has issued a transfer orders of 17 engineers from deputy chief engineer to senior Xen level officers.
In these transfer orders, key members of PSEB Engineers’ Association are also transferred.
The main highlight of this transfer is the general secretary of PSEBEA Ajaypal Singh Atwal, who is posted as Addl.SE/ Tech -1 to Director Distribution, Patiala has been posted as Addl.SE/Enforcement-Cum- EA and MMTS, Mandi Gobindgarh.
Another key member Devinder Kumar Goyal, finance secretary, PSEBEA posted as Addl.SE/Personnel,Patiala to Addl.SE/ Enforcement-Cum- EA and MMTS-2, Ludhiana.
Similarly Jatinder Garg, who is posted as SR. XEN/DS Division,Model Town, Patiala to Sr. Xen/ Enforcement-Cum- EA and MMTS, Sangrur.
Earlier in the day PSEB Engineers’ Association (PSEBEA) has lodged their protest with the chief minister over the “Changes in qualification of CMD, PSPCL – Violation of Tripartite Agreement” .
The association has written a letter to the CM that “ The erstwhile Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) was bifurcated in 2010 into two successor companies, namely Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) and Punjab State Transmission Corporation Limited (PSTCL). Simultaneously, the qualifications, eligibility criteria, and selection procedure for appointment of Chairmen-cum-Managing Directors (CMDs) and Directors of these corporations were duly framed and notified. As originally envisaged at the time of restructuring, these highly technical organisations were to be headed by experienced technocrats from the power sector. Subsequently, the prescribed qualifications were diluted to permit appointment of Principal Secretary level IAS. Despite the initiation of a regular selection process for filling the post of CMD, PSPCL, selection process started by the Power Department has not been completed till date.”
PSEBEA spokesperson said “the Government has unilaterally decided to further dilute the qualifications by permitting appointment of a Secretary-level IAS officer as CMD of PSPCL, a highly technical and operationally complex power utility.It is pertinent to recall that during the restructuring of erstwhile PSEB in April 2010, a comprehensive Tripartite Agreement (TPA) was executed between the Government of Punjab, the Management, and all unions and associations of erstwhile PSEB, including the PSEB Engineers’ Association. This TPA was duly notified vide Power Department Notification No.11/80/2010-PE-1/1962 dated 24.05.2011. As per Clause 5(g) of the TPA, any modification in the qualifications and experience prescribed for CMDs/Directors is to be carried out only after consultation and mutual understanding with the signatories to the agreement.”
“Association respectfully suggests that these changes in qualification are not only a violation of notified tripartite agreement but also considering the technical complexities, regular monitoring, proper direction and challenges faced by the corporation, the Chairman should be a full time technocrat”said Ajaypal Singh Atwal, general secy, PSEBEA
“The association, therefore, requests that these amendments issued in violation of the tripartite agreement be immediately withdrawn and any modification in the qualifications and experience prescribed for CMDs/Directors is to be carried out only after consultation and mutual understanding with the signatories to the agreement. Further it is requested that the process for appointment of regular technocrat as CMD be expedited, to ensure dedicated technical leadership and to steer this technical corporation effectively.”
An officer on the condition of anonymity said “these are regular transfers and has nothing to do with association’s ongoing protest against powercom management.”
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