Powermen Will Observe Day Long Dharna on April 25

By Tricitynews Reporter

Chandigarh 10^th April:- The Executive Committee meeting of the U.T. Powermen Union Chandigarh took place today i.e. on 10^th April, 2017 here at Sector 17, under the Chairmanship of Sat Pal President of the Union.  Meeting discussed the various demands of the Electricity employees which are pending since long period with the authorities concern.  Union General Secretary Gopal Datt Joshi while elaborating the issues said that there is acute shortage of staff in the department but no efforts have been taken even to fill up the vacant posts.  Employees sitting on same posts since 20-30 years are waiting for their promotion but no action has been taken to promote them and they are retiring without getting a single promotion.  Similarly the posts vacant of Direct Quota have not been filled up.  Some posts of LDC, Lineman, ALM’s have been engaged on outsource basis against sanctioned posts last year but their contract have not been extended which put the department in miserable conditions and consumer services will be worst affected.  The tools and safety devices have not been provided to the workmen.  Pay anomalies have not been removed; Amendments in rules have not been done. He blamed that instead of implementing the demands, unnecessary and illegal show cause notices have been served to the employees after two decades of their promotions  and entire attention has been given to transfer of the employees on pick and choose basis to please the vested interests even transfer orders of Class IV employees have been issued who are widow and have not completed 3 years tenure. 

Similar transfer orders have been issued to Junior Engineers, which crippled the smooth functioning of the department.  There is acute shortage of staff in Division and Sub-Division offices and employees remain half against sanctioned posts on the other there is double staff against sanctioned posts in the office of Superintending Engineer even then the grievances of employees remain unresolved since years.  Even drivers have not been provided for redressal of the consumer’s complaints. The Executive Committee in view of adamant and negative attitude of the authorities towards demands and also took serious note of the statement made by the Administrator for privatize the well running department decided to start agitation programme which shall conclude in Massive Dharna on 25^th April, 2017 near the electricity office, Sector 17, Chandigarh in case the demands will not resolve and the step of privatization will not be withdrawn.