60 working days wasted in strike,not a single penny deducted

The issue of unbundling has so far costed the electricity board more than Rs 275 crore,as it is the amount paid to employees who went on strikes and dharnas.

The issue of unbundling has so far costed the electricity board more than Rs 275 crore,as it is the amount paid to employees who went on strikes and dharnas. Since 2003,more than 65,000 employees have gone on over 30 days strike. Nearly 60 days were wasted in dharnas and rallies,including the half-day gate rallies,in which employees used to demonstrate after lunch. Still,not a single penny was deducted from their salaries.

Now,with the government announcing that terms and conditions will remain the same even after unbundling,the employee associations have become a little mild in their statements. Swarn Singh,president of the PSEB employees federation,said,Till date,the government or the PSEB authorities had not told us this. Had they indicated even once,we would not have protested so much. We were always given the message that service rules will change once the unbundling happens.

Singh said,Still more meetings are needed to be held with employees to make the situation clear. We are here to listen to the government and after that,we will decide what is to be done next.

Though the employees admitted they were paid full salaries all this time,they said the struggle was not only for them but for consumers as well. The employees federation is expecting another meeting with the Chief Minister within this week. They have already met the CM once. Singh said,If the terms and conditions suit us,we can sign an agreement with the government,so that they cannot back out from their promises.

Meanwhile,a two-day strike will be kicked off by employees on the day the unbundling is formally announced. The Board has also asked consumers,through circulars,to make alternate power arrangements in case of strikes or dharnas and at the same time,has sought help from employees of other departments,such as the Bhakra Beas Management Board,National Thermal Power Corporation,Power Grid and even from other states. Distribution Member K D Chaudhary confirmed the same. He said steps needed to be taken to make the system run in a smooth manner.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Tags:
power