Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 20: Power employees in J&K strongly resented the Union Government proposal to privatise the Power distribution sector and threatened to launch an agitation.
Provincial Power Employees Union (PPEU) members today held an urgent meeting here under the chairmanship of Shakti Gupta, Sanjeev Bali – president PPEU , Ajaz Kazmi- general secretary, Manjit Singh- District president, Deep Mehra- chief organiser to discuss the announcements made by the Finance Minister,Nirmala Sitharaman on the issue of privatisation of Distribution sector of Power Development departments starting with Union Territories.
They said PPEU was apprehensive of the move of the privatisation of the Distribution sector by the Central Government as it may lead to large scale shunting out/ harassment of employees who will be declared surplus. This decision, if implemented at this stage, will lead to crisis for the employees in general and more importantly, the daily wagers and need based employees who have been awaiting regularisation after having served more than 20 years in the Power department.
The Union members said the UT of Jammu Kashmir has witnessed turmoil and turbulent times during past three decades and J&K is lacking far behind as compared to other Union Territories in terms of per capita income of the consumers. The Power infrastructure in UT Jammu and Kashmir needs revamping and this will take time so that quality power is delivered to the households of the UT. The far-flung areas of Jammu and Kashmir have seen electricity at their homes just recently and consumers will be burdoned largely by the tariffs prevailing in the private power distribution companies in India.
The employees were forced to accept the unbundling of the PDD with some assurances which were never fulfilled. Ever since the formation of these companies, there has been delays in releasing salaries, promotions and regularisation of daily wagers. There is deep sense of distrust and atmosphere of demotivation in the cadre. The privatisation move has created anxiety and fear among the employees who are working tirelessely despite threat of COVID-19. The Power employees may choose agitational path on the privatisation issue. Provincial Power Employees Union extended full support to the Power Employees and Engineers Coordination Committee for the agitation.
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