Patiala, April 25
The general body meeting of the PSEB Engineers’ Association strongly condemned political interference and recent arbitrary actions of the Punjab Government and Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) while deliberating upon the emerging challenges to the stability and autonomy of the state power sector. Ajaypal Singh Atwal, General Secretary, said the meeting was attended by more than 800 serving engineers from across the power sector, ranging from Chief Engineers to Assistant Engineers of PSPCL, PSTCL and BBMB.
The meeting was addressed by Padamjit Singh (Patron, PSEBEA), Ajaypal Singh Atwal (General Secretary), Jatinder Garg, Ravinder Khanna, G.S. Khaira, Shaminder Sidhu, Harish Sharma, and dozens of other engineers. The President of the PSEB Engineers’ Association reiterated the unwavering commitment of engineers to ensuring reliable and uninterrupted power supply to the people of Punjab. He emphasized that while engineers and employees remain dedicated to public service, they will not allow the future of the power sector to be compromised by non-technical and politically motivated decisions. He urged the Chief Minister to intervene immediately to restore stability and uphold professional autonomy.
Atwal said the assembled engineers unanimously and strongly condemned recent decisions that have undermined technical integrity, professional dignity and established institutional processes. Serious concern was expressed that such arbitrary actions have disrupted the functioning of the power sector, weakened the Chief Minister’s vision of “Zero Power Outage,” and posed a significant threat to the long-term reliability of power supply in the state.
The meeting specifically opposed the move to sell power sector properties and assets, highlighted hurdles in the progress of the 2×800 MW units at Guru Gobind Singh Super Thermal Plant, Ropar, and strongly objected to the proposed anti-consumer Electricity Amendment Bill, 2025. Deep concern was expressed over the grant of lower initial pay to newly recruited Assistant Engineers, terming it a grave injustice, and the Association resolved to pursue its rectification.
Furthermore, the Association demanded restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and urged the State Government to allow power corporations to grant full regular pay scales to new recruits.
All speakers expressed strong solidarity and unanimously resolved to stand united in safeguarding Punjab’s power sector. They firmly opposed any move to sell or compromise public assets, rejected violations of the Tripartite Agreement (TPA), and rejected all attempts to create a culture of fear or permit political interference in the professional functioning of the power sector.
