Tripartite Pact Violated, alleges PSEBEA over Powercom appointment changes, warns of ‘Death Knell’ for power sector
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ April 1,2026
The PSEB Engineers’ Association (PSEBEA) has registered strong objections with Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann over changes in the appointment criteria for the posts of CMD and Directors in PSPCL and PSTCL.
In a Cabinet meeting held on March 29, 2026, major changes were introduced in the eligibility criteria for the appointment of CMDs and Directors in both PSPCL and PSTCL.
In this regard, PSEBEA has written to the Chief Minister, raising concerns over what it termed a violation of the Tripartite Agreement signed during the unbundling of the erstwhile Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) among the government, company management, and employees’ associations and unions.
The association had earlier also objected to the alleged violation of the Tripartite Agreement on December 23, 2025. It pointed out that the recent changes are a clear violation of Clause 5(g) of the agreement.
“These actions of diluting the qualifications of CMDs and Directors, along with the deliberate disturbance of PSPCL’s revenue stream by artificially lowering losses and manipulating other parameters, will prove to be a death knell for the power sector,” said PSEBEA General Secretary Ajaypal Singh Atwal.
He further added, “Where does the sanctity of the Tripartite Agreement remain? This is a breach of the trust of thousands of employees in the power sector.”
Under the Tripartite Agreement, any changes in eligibility criteria were to be made only after consultation with employees’ associations and unions. The present amendments, the association said, also violate the statutory provisions of the agreement.
The qualifications for the appointment of CMDs and Directors were introduced for the first time in Punjab’s power utilities in the successor companies—PSPCL and PSTCL—formed after the unbundling of PSEB, in compliance with the Electricity Act, 2003. While other states separated generation, transmission, and distribution functions, Punjab adopted a unique model, retaining generation and distribution under PSPCL and transmission under PSTCL. To ensure technical specialization, stringent eligibility criteria were framed for these top posts.
According to PSEBEA, the latest amendments have introduced serious anomalies. The original eligibility criteria for CMDs were primarily designed to appoint power sector professionals. Although there was a provision allowing the appointment of an IAS officer at the level of Principal Secretary, the government had appointed a Secretary-level officer as CMD in October 2025, allegedly in violation of the existing norms. Subsequently, the criteria were amended to make such officers eligible, effectively lowering the status of the post.
The association alleged that the amendments appear to be tailored to accommodate certain individuals close to those in power, who were otherwise ineligible. It also claimed that speculation about specific names is circulating within official circles.
The post of Director (Generation) has been lying vacant since November 4, 2025. Former Director (Generation) Er. Harjit Singh was removed from service without a show-cause notice, inquiry, or an opportunity to defend himself. Er. Harish Sharma, Chief Engineer, was also suspended on November 1, 2025.
The issue originated from a note initiated by Power Minister Sanjeev Arora on October 29, 2025, which flagged higher fuel costs at the Goindwal Sahib thermal plant and GGSSTP Ropar compared to private plants, despite PSPCL having access to its own coal mine at Pachhwara. Suspecting a “major fraud,” the minister recommended suspension of the officials.
However, when the matter reached the High Court, PSPCL was directed to form a two-member committee to examine the issue. The committee reportedly found no substance in the allegations and recommended revoking the suspension of Er. Harish Sharma, which has since been implemented. Despite this, Er. Harjit Singh’s removal orders were not taken back, the association alleged.
PSEBEA has urged the government to preserve the integrity of technical qualifications and uphold the sanctity of the Tripartite Agreement. It demanded immediate withdrawal of the amendments and called for any future changes in eligibility criteria to be made only after due consultation with all stakeholders, warning that undermining technical leadership could adversely affect the power sector, especially during the upcoming paddy season.
