Powermen Raise Issue of Shortage of Men Power & Safety Devices to Workmen Before JERC

By Tricitynews Reporter

Chandigarh 16^th March:- The U.T. Powermen Union Chandigarh today raise the issue of shortage of staff, T & P and safety devices and training to field staff apart from continuation of electricity concession to the employees, before the JERC during the public hearing on the petition filed by electricity department on ARR for the financial year 2017-18.

Union General Secretary Gopal Datt Joshi while speaking on the occasion appeal the Hon’ble Commission to direct the department to fill up the sanctioned vacant post on regular basis instead of engaging on outsource basis as the nature of work in department is permanent and the employees are engaging on outsource basis which does not serve the purpose and requesting the commission to intervene and direct the department to appoint regular employees against sanctioned post and if it take some times till then employees on contract basis be appointed by the department itself instead of hiring  them on outsource basis to avoid the burden on department by giving 13 to 15% service charge to  outsource agencies. He further appeal the commission to direct the department to provide T & P and safety devices to the workmen besides giving them technical training. Apart from above the union appeal the Hon’ble Commission to continue the concession on electricity bill to the employees as per earlier practices as given on the pattern on PSPCL and other utilities and pointed  out that despite shortage of staff the employees are working 16-18 hours to maintain the continuity of supply and attending breakdowns without taking any overtime and other benefits. More so the insurance of the staff have also not been done by the department thus there is no reason to stop the minor concession given to them being given as a motivated tool. The commission heard the arguments of the union and presenting stake holders on the occasion also supported the view point of the union and appreciated the best efforts of the employees for the continuity of the power supply.