Welcome Bouquet for CMD: Engineers’ body sounds caution bugle, raises concern over adhocisim, political meddling in Powercom
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ October 31,2025
PSEB Engineers’ Association has raised serious concern over the appointment of administrative power secretary Basant Garg, IAS, as CMD, PSPCL and PSTCL.
The association has written a letter to the chief minister regarding “Appointment of Full-Time Technocrat CMD PSPCL and CMD PSTCL & Interference in day-to-day activities of the Power Sector”.
The spokesperson of the PSEB Engineers’ Association said “it is a professional body of Power Engineers. Our main objective remains the healthiness of the Punjab Power Sector and the association has always given our unbiased view on the matters concerning the Punjab Power Sector.”
Jasvir Singh Dhiman, President , PSEBEA said “ the selection process to fill-up the posts of key decision makers i.e. CMD/ PSPCL was started, but the power department has been unable to complete the selection process till date. Now vide orders dated 30/10/2025, the charge of CMD PSPCL and CMD PSTCL has been given to newly appointed administrative secretary, Power.”
Dhiman added that the association has reminded the chief minister that “under your leadership PSPCL has set an ambitious and much needed target of achieving “Zero Power Outages” by March 2026. To realise this goal, focused and technically competent leadership is indispensable. It is practically not feasible for Secretary level officer, who is entrusted with multiple important administrative assignments and may have limited or no prior experience in the power sector, to devote the level of technical and managerial attention that these organisations critically require.”
Ajaypal Singh Atwal, secretary PSEBEA said “ the Association wishes to draw attention to the fact that assigning the charge of CMD, PSPCL to a Secretary-level officer is inconsistent with the qualifications prescribed under the prevailing Government of Punjab notification. This ad-hoc arrangement will not only disrupt the informed decision-making process on these crucial technical positions but also creates a sense of uncertainty and instability in the power sector. “
Atwal added,”the association, therefore, earnestly requests the chief minister that regular technocrat CMDs be appointed for both PSPCL and PSTCL to ensure dedicated, experienced, and technical leadership capable of effectively steering these corporations.”
He further added that “the power sector constitutes a vital public service, and any form of undue political interference in its technical operations, day-to-day functioning, procurement processes or Board agendas may seriously undermine its efficiency and long-term stability of power sector. Such actions would not only be contrary to the vision of “Zero Power Outage” by March 2026, but would also ultimately impair the quality and reliability of power services being provided to the citizens of Punjab.”
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