Patiala, November 21
PSEB Engineers Association will protest on November 26 demanding the immediate halt of sale of PSPCL/PSTCL assets and properties, resume the process for setting up the state sector 2 × 800 MW supercritical units at Ropar, unconditional revocation of the suspension of chief engineer Ropar Thermal Plant and removal of services of Director/Generation besides curbing unwarranted political interference and restrict the involvement of private consultants in technical and administrative decisions of power sector.
Association General Secretary Ajaypal Singh Atwal said that engineers have conveyed their concerns through meetings and letters to the Power Minister CMD/PSPCL Secretary/Power. However, no corrective action has been taken, compelling the engineers to resort to the path of agitation. Association convened a meeting with all Head of Departments at Patiala and discussed all these issues in detail.
It is pertinent to mention that PSPCL records show considerable improvements and reduction in cost in the performance of Ropar and Goindwal Thermal Plants Chief Engineer has been suspended merely on a note initiated by Power Minister. However, as per rules committee of whole time members is authorised to take disciplinary actions on SE and above. Further as per Companies Act 2013 – Article of Association of PSPCL, only selection committee can recommend for removal of any Director of PSPCL. Power Minister has no legal powers to take suo motu and remove any Director of PSPCL or any other senior engineer, nor does concerned Minister has powers to initiate disciplinary action against a Chief Engineer.
It was discussed that such decisions at the highest level, taken on the basis of unverified technical assertions and in disregard of laid-down processes, pose a grave threat to the stability of the state’s power sector. Engineers strongly objected to the undue political interference in the technical operations, day-to-day functioning, procurement, negotiations and Board agendas.
Engineers unanimously condemned the actions of management and noted that these actions have been initiated to exert undue pressure on engineers, so as to make the officers either fall in line or face extreme actions. Engineers across Punjab has not been with an option but to intensify their Agitation. To start with boycott and exit all official Whats App groups with effect from November 26 and state level protest meeting of all Engineers of at at Patiala from December the agitation will be further intensified and the management shall be solely responsible for any disruption of industrial peace.
