Punjab’s Lifeline in Trouble: agitating power engineers appeal to CM for immediate intervention to safeguard the State’s power sector
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ December 15,2025
The PSEB Engineers’ Association has once again taken up the matter of their “Unresolved Genuine Demands” with the chief minister, power minister and with the management of power corporation,
The association has issues a “Notice for Agitation” and has written a letter to the CMD, PSPCL/ PSTCL with a copy to CM, power minister, chief secretary, power secretary on this issue that despite repeated written representations, multiple meetings, and assurances given by the Management, no concrete or meaningful action has been taken on the core issues confronting the Punjab power sector.
The PSEBEA general secretary Ajaypal Singh Atwal said “It is a matter of serious concern that even after the lapse of more than a month, and despite a massive State-Level Protest Meeting held at Patiala on 02.12.2025, attended by over 1,000 engineers from across Punjab to express their deep resentment and anguish, the Management has failed to take cognizance of the legitimate concerns raised by the engineering fraternity. This continued inaction has further aggravated unrest and demoralisation within the power sector regarding the following issues :
- The process of sale/monetisation of valuable power sector properties has not been halted.
- Hurdles are being created in the process of setting up 2 × 800 MW supercritical units at Ropar under the State sector
- The arbitrary suspension of Er. Harish Sharma, Chief Engineer, GGSSTP, on fabricated technical grounds continues unabated. No corrective action has been taken regarding the illegal removal of Er. Harjit Singh, Director/ Generation.
- Unwarranted political interference in the technical and administrative functioning of the power sector has continued unchecked, due to the inability of management to exercise its statutory authority”.
Jasvir Singh Dhiman, PSEBEA President said “These issues were deliberated in detail in the meeting of the Office Bearers held on 14.12.2025. Engineers are being subjected to undue pressure. Those who raise legitimate objections or attempt to uphold professional ethics and technical propriety are being publicly humiliated in official meetings and transferred to distant stations as a punitive measure for refusing to toe the management line. Such actions have created an environment of fear, intimidation, and demoralisation among engineers, which is detrimental to the efficient and safe functioning of the power sector. The Office Bearers expressed grave concern that the management appears intent on undermining and weakening the state power sector, the adverse consequences of which are likely to be felt acutely during the forthcoming summer season”.
PSEBEA spokesperson said “In view of the continued lack of corrective measures by the Management, it has been decided to extend the agitation further from 18.12.25 onwards:
- Official Mobile Switch-Off Protest by all engineers, daily from 5:00 PM to 9:00 AM, (for engineers on shift duty: mobile switch off during off-duty period).
- Work-to-Rule in all generating stations.
- The existing call to exit official WhatsApp Groups will continue.
Further, as resolved in the joint meeting of all Unions and Associations of the power sector held on 12.12.2025 at the PSEB Engineers’ Association Home, Patiala, coordinated Protest actions shall be undertaken across the State in collaboration with all employee unions”.
“Additionally, as decided in the meeting held with the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) at Chandigarh on 13.12.2025, engineers shall actively participate in the agitation programmes and protest calls given by SKM in solidarity with the larger movement to oppose EA Bill 2025, oppose sale of power sector properties and to safeguard the power sector” added Dhiman.
Atwal added “The Association once again urges the Management to act immediately to restore confidence, uphold fairness, and prevent further escalation. The Association reiterates that engineers are committed to maintaining essential services; however, the responsibility for any deterioration of industrial peace rest solely with the Management, due to its persistent refusal to address genuine and legitimate concerns raised above”.
