Punjab’s power department may come to halt; Council of JE’s PSEB to restore agitation
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in
Council of Junior Engineers PSEB, a representative body of Power Junior Engineers and Engineering Officers promoted from ranks in Punjab Power Sector has announced a series of agitation programs over non-settlement of various pending demands of the cadre of Power Junior Engineers. This was informed to the press during a press conference at Patiala by Er. Davinder Singh- State General Secretary of JEs Council.
Er. Paramjit Singh Khattra State President and Er. Davinder Singh- State General Secretary of JEs Council jointly stated that the agitation will begin by holding protest rallies in front of all PSPCL circle H.Qs. on dated 27th Oct., 2021 followed by complete boycott of stores and metering equipment labs and various types of checking and consumer application verifications in the field offices from 27th Oct. 2021 to 10th Nov.2021.
Junior Engineers will not draw any material and metering equipments from PSPCL stores except transformers just to restore the failed power supply to avoid inconvenience to the public. Power Junior Engineers will also switch off their official mobile phones daily in the evening from 5.00pm to 9.00am w.e.f. 27th Oct. 2021 whereas, Power Junior Engineers & Officers promoted from ranks will also exit the all official whatsapp groups.
They further said that Power management has failed to settle long pending demands of Junior Engineers despite clear cut assurances given by PSPCL Management on 26th June, 2021.
Their demands include enhancement of initial pay, even though State Government JEs are drawing higher initial pay of Rs.18250/- since 01.12.2011,Enhancement in promotion avenue from JE/AAE to AE/AEE, implementation of various field difficulties committee’s reports, provision of adequate regular field manpower and infrastructure and filling up of promotional posts of AAEs (JE-1) and AEs, making JE/B Tech. eligible for promotion of AAEs (JE-1) and various other issues as enlisted in demand charter submitted to the Power Management.
Council further stated that Power Junior Engineers have been passionate to work hard even in Covid-19 Pandemic situation and also to restore the power supply disrupted badly due to heavy storms / rains with the hopes for readdress of their grievances on top priority. Power Junior Engineers have been playing a pivotal roles in practical implementation of various govt. schemes such as distribution of LED bulbs and smart meters etc. etc. However, Power Management is not bothered to take an initiative towards their resentments.
Power Junior Engineers have been working in field under stressed state of affairs with no fixed duty hours, shortage of technical manpower, repeated tool down by outsourced manpower without any notice and anger of public and undue harassment.
Probable reason of all this is short sightedness of Power Management towards conduct of material and manpower. Junior Engineers are being burdened with Outsourced Complaint handling Bikers (CHB) like manpower, which is otherwise a failed experiment.
Regular manpower is the need of the hour to ensure the smooth field working and to provide reliable and quality power to consumers.
Punjab’s power department may come to halt; Council of JE’s PSEB to restore agitation. Council leadership further informed said that in case Power Management failed to settle pending demands on top priority, ongoing agitation will be intensified further and responsibility for that will be rest with the Management.
October 25,2021
