For last 12 years, no regular Transcom CMD appointed: Power engineer raises concern over ad-hocism
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ December 17,2024
The PSEB Engineers’ Association (PSEBEA) has once again raised the matter of ad-hocism in the power sector with the state chief minister Bhagwant Mann.
The association has written a letter to the chief minister with a copy to power minister, chief secretary and power secretary, raises concern over non appointment of regular CMD of Punjab State Transmission Corporation Limited (PSTCL) in the last 12 years. Erstwhile PSEB was bifurcated into two companies i.e. PSPCL and PSTCL in the year 2010.
PSEBEA general secretary Ajaypal Singh Atwal said “simultaneously the qualifications, eligibility criteria and selection process for appointments of CMDs and Directors for these two companies were also fixed and notified. Though both the companies came into existence on 16/4/2010, the regular CMD/ PSPCL and Directors of PSPCL and PSTCL were appointed on 4/6/2010 after advertising the posts, scrutiny and shortlisting of candidates by the selection committee as per provisions of bylaws of the new companies. However, the post of CMD PSTCL was never advertised and in majority of the cases its additional charge was either handed over to the Secretary Power or remained vacant. This makeshift arrangement in PSTCL has continued since then”.
He added “ PSPCL has seen two regular CMDs appointed through a proper selection process and only two short interventions of additional charge of CMDs, whereas PSTCL has seen all 12 additional charge CMDs none of them regular. Not even once the post was ever advertised.”
Jasvir Singh Dhiman, president of the association said “developing robust power transmission systems, optimising operational efficiency, and modernizing infrastructure are tasks that require steady leadership and sufficient time for execution. This frequent turnover significantly hinders PSTCL’s ability to pursue and achieve long-term goals, particularly in enhancing the power transmission network.”
“Association respectfully suggests that considering the technical complexities, regular monitoring, proper direction and challenges faced by the transmission corporation, the Chairman of the PSTCL should be a full time technocrat as it is not practically possible for a Principal Secretary who is having many other important assignments to give proper focus which the company essentially requires” further added Atwal.
The association has requested the chief minister “that a regular technocrat as CMD, PSTCL be appointed, to ensure dedicated technical leadership and to steer the corporation effectively towards achieving its long-term objectives” said Dhiman
At present Ajoy Kumar Sinha, IAS is the officiating CMD of the PSTCL.
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