Punjab’s Lifeline seems to be moving towards ventilator; delay in regular appointments haunting staff
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ March 10,2025
It’s a more than a month now that the working of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has almost been halted after its key heads-CMD, Directors-Distribution and Commercial terms ended on February 6, 27,28, 2025 respectively.
Though the charge of CMD was given to principal secretary power Ajoy Kumar Sinha, IAS but as per available information, even the charge of Director Distribution and Commercial has not been given to anyone, halting the process of timely action in this Lifeline department of the state. The principal secretary Power also holds the charge of another key department of the state government-Finance department. Being heading finance department, he is over busy due to end of financial year, budget preparations etc.
The pending appointment of regular CMD, Directors, Chief Engineers are haunting the staff of the powercom as some major decisions are not being taken timely. With the financial year ending, many key decisions, policy matter has to be discussed before the onset of paddy season.
Today, even PSEB engineers Association in a letter to Chief Minister Punjab has urged to fill the top decision making posts in PSPCL and PSTCL immediately so that there is no problem during the coming paddy season as further delay in filling these key positions will severely impact the decision-making process and operational efficiency of the power sector.
Ajay Pal Singh Atwal, General Secretary said that the power sector requires long-term planning to ensure reliable and quality power supply. The selection process to fill-up the posts of key decision makers such as CMD/ PSPCL, Director Distribution, Director Commercial PSPCL, Director HR PSPCL and Director Technical PSTCL has not yet been completed.
The letter mentions that just before the start of summer / paddy season, the crucial posts of Director Distribution, Director Commercial PSPCL have been lying vacant for more than a week, charge of post of CMD PSPCL has been given to Secretary Power and an ad-hoc extension for the post of Director Technical PSTCL. In addition to these crucial positions such as Member Power BBMB, Member Technical PSERC, CMD PSTCL, Chief Electrical Inspector have been lying vacant or being operated through additional charge since long. Such ad-hoc arrangements are adversely impacting the operational efficiency of PSPCL and PSTCL their ’s ability to effectively plan and execute long-term strategies.
Punjab’s Lifeline seems to be moving towards ventilator; delay in regular appointments haunting staff. The association has also sought CM intervention to fill-up these key positions in PSPCL, PSTCL, PSERC and CEI on priority. Additionally, the issue of appointing regular Member Power BBMB be taken up with the Union Government.
Any further delay in filling these key positions may impact the decision-making process and operational efficiency of the power sector and will not only jeopardise the health and performance of the Power Sector but will also adversely affect the preparedness for the coming summer/ paddy season, when the power demand is anticipated to surpass 17,000 MW.
