Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Mar 27: The Jammu and Kashmir Central Non-Gazetted Electrical Employees Union has urged upon the Government/ PDD authorities to ensure 24-hour power supply in view of the emerging situation.
In a joint statement issued by the State president Mohd Afzal Bhat, general secretary Parshotam Sharma, Provincial president Kashmir Umar Bhat, Provincial president Jammu Gurnam Singh Salathia of JKCNGEEU have expressed gratitude and commended the role of Power employees and workers. When the whole world is up against fight for Corona virus, Power employees and workers stationed in different Power Houses, Grid Stations, Receiving Stations, Sub Stations along with field staff are working 24×7 to ensure regular power supply to general public. However, it is pertinent to mention that Power employees and workers have unfortunately met accidents while ensuring smooth supply of electricity to thousands of households, due to which some of them lost their lives and some are lifelong disabled, adding to the miseries of families that were dependent on them.
In a recent order issued (Administrative Council Decision No. 45/6/2020 dated: 18-03-2020) (Govt Order No. Home-92 of 2020 dated: 20-03-2020), some Govt departments which include Fire and Emergency Services, Home Guard, Civil Guard, UTDRF are entitled for a sum of Rs 20 lakh as ex-gratia relief against any loss of life in the line of duty. JKCNGEEU welcomed the decision in the favour of the said departments but at the same time expresses disappointment over not including the Power employees and workers in the same category of employees for compensation entitlement.
Power Department is also tagged as an essential service and Power employees and workers are most vulnerable section among all the employees of various departments in J&K. In the prevailing circumstances, particularly the looming threat of Coronavirus Power employees and workers are ensuring smooth and uninterrupted power supply to almost all consumers throughout J&K.
Lt Governor should take the pleas of power employees and workers into consideration and direct the concerned authorities to include Power Department in the same category of the above mentioned employees. They also requested the LG to assign a sum of Rs 1,00,000 as a compensation aid for the daily wagers in particular and other incentives offered to employees and workers in various other states in India for other employees and workers in general.
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