PSEB Engineers Association sends SOS message to PSPCL management

PSEB Engineers Association sends SOS message to PSPCL management

Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in

Punjab state electricity board engineers association (PSEBEA) has raised their voice against the inhuman behaviour of the powercom management.

PSEBEA spokesperson said  “the engineers working round the clock at remote grids as HUMAN BEINGS, who require food, washroom facilities, proper sleeping conditions (at least 8 hours), medical facilities else we may be constrained to ask engineers to leave such stations before the expiry of the above stated period. “

“With a request to take this letter as an SOS call, in anticipation that your goodself will impress upon the PSPCL/ PSTCL managements to treat engineers performing arduous duties as HUMAN BEINGS. Any subsequent blackout in the power sector will be the responsibility of management as we have given sufficient notice and expect that management will take notice.”

In a letter given to the CMD of the PSPCL about the “Non-Fulfillment of Agreed Genuine Demands and to Improve Conditions Under Which Engineers are Performing Emergency Duties at Various Substations Across Punjab” has reminded the management that most Unions/ Associations are on mass casual leave from 15/11/21 and the same has been extended by the Unions upto 6/12/21, as the discussions/ deliberations held with them have not been concluded to their satisfaction by the management.”

PSEB Engineers’ Association spokesman said “ it is of the firm view that the Power Sector is a very crucial infrastructure required to improve State GDP. The Manpower serving in this sector is “the Major Asset” managing this critical backbone of the State and as such requires to be handled with utmost care. The present resentment in almost every cadre of PSPCL/ PSTCL is due to the approach of Management in the recent past i.e. to delay every decision which affects the employees. It has created an atmosphere of mistrust between the management and employees. In the recent past, management has been attempting to squeeze every little incentive given to employees and even tried to disallow power sector employees the benefits that have already been granted to Punjab Govt. employees, disregarding conditions of notified Tripartite Agreement (TPA). Every single time employees are being forced to agitate and then management, after disturbing the industrial peace, withdraws such irritants.”

An engineer of the association said “ the major irritant is the total lack of humane approach towards the manpower and outright absence of natural justice in every action of management. Each step being taken by management is adding oil to the already burning fire. Not only employees but power engineers are also facing the same indifferent treatment. There is major resentment in the cadre, inspite of that PSEB Engineers Association has stood firm to its motto that “For us, Punjab Power Sector Comes First and Our Demands are Secondary”. During these trying times, Association members have been performing the duties of subordinate staff at various Grid Substations to avoid any Power Blackout in the State. Despite full cooperation by engineers deputed at far away and remote places, the management utterly failed to even provide for basic human needs, i.e food, security, washroom and rest facilities. Sir, how inhuman the PSPCL management has become can be gauged from the fact that it has failed to respond to the various SOS given by association that in about 100 grids at remote stations, engineers are working tirelessly for the last 12 days without any support from the management.”

The executive committee in its meeting held on 25/11/21 (online meeting as majority of our members are performing continuous duties at remote stations), strongly condemned this inhuman attitude of management. Further, the executive committee observed that while we stood by our motto, such emergency situations can last for weeks, it will not be possible to perform duties under such circumstances by risking our lives. PSEB Engineers Association sends SOS message to PSPCL management and the executive committee also expressed its deep anguish over the untimely death of Er Ajay Kumar ASE. Er Ajay Kumar got infected with dengue while performing such duty. The executive demands that suitable compensation be granted to the family of the deceased engineer.

The executive committee also took notice of the fact that this period which was to be utilised for planning, upgrading and preparing the power system for the coming summers/ paddy season has been wasted due to the adamant attitude of the management. The billing and collection of corporations has also been severely affected. Tenders for material procurement are getting delayed and it is anticipated that the crisis due to material shortages experienced during the summer season of 2021 would get even worse in 2022. This lackadaisical attitude of the management may compromise the energy security of the State.

PSEB Engineers Association sends SOS message to PSPCL management .Further it has been decided that in case Management fails to meet already agreed issue to grant Rs 5500 to all eligible AE’s from 01/01/16 as decided earlier, power engineers will switch off their mobiles from 30/11/21 (9 AM) indefinitely and will refuse to perform duties of subordinates from 01/12/21 (2 PM).

November 26,2021