PSEB engineers finally meet deputy CM, discuss long-pending issues

LUDHIANA: The PSEB engineers' association's much-awaited meeting with deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was held at Badal village on Wednesday and several long-pending issues related to engineers and the power sector were discussed.
Badal categorically assured the association that tripartite agreement will be honoured and any change in its clauses will be carried out only after considering the views of the association and carrying out due discussions.
He agreed to the plea of Punjab State Electricity Board Engineers' association to have a fixed tenure without any extension for CMD/directors of PSPCL/PSTCL. It was also decided that the process of selection for the posts of directors of PSPCL would begin within 15 days.
On the issues of common recruitment/cadre in PSPCL/PSTCL and legitimate start of pay scale to newly-recruited assistant engineers (SDOs), deputy CM assured the delegation that these issues will be sorted out shortly to the satisfaction of engineers. The association informed deputy CM regarding biased, partisan and discriminatory attitude of PSPCL management towards engineers. He directed secretary, power, and PSPCL CMD to immediately hold a meeting with the association for resolution of issues raised.
He also appreciated the suggestions of the association towards bringing down line losses and directed PSPCL to shift the 24 lakh meters of wire lying outside its premises by March 31, 2015 positively. Secretary power was asked to monitor the progress of the same.
The association pointed out that besides remarkably improving the quality of power supply to consumers, this will enhance PSPCL's revenue to the tune of Rs 1000 crores. He agreed that the state's share in the generation capacity required urgent enhancement and assured that the government will take urgent steps in this regard and a 4000-MW plant will be brought up in the state.
Earlier, following postponement of the meeting with CM several times, engineers' association had threatened a statewide protest August 15 onwards. The agitation was withdrawn on Wednesday.
Key decisions
* Any change in tripartite agreement will be carried out only after deliberations with PSEB association
* Fixed tenure without extension for CMD/directors of PSPCL/PSTCL
* Selection for posts of directors to begin within 15 days