No effect of strike in Haryana Power Utilities: Dhesi

CHANDIGARH, JUNE 29

Haryana Chief Secretary D.S.Dhesi said that despite the   strike by a section of employees of the power utilities, the consumers were getting 8,000 Mw of power today by 12 O’Clock as compared to the average supply of 7200 MW in the last one week at the same time.

          The Chief Secretary, who was accompanied by Additional Chief Secretary, Power, Mr Rajan Gupta was addressing a press conference here today.

          Mr Dhesi said that the  power supply in the whole State was normal. About 36 per cent of total employees remained absent. The supply, however, was maintained by the officers with the help of remaining employees. All the officers of the department are on duty round the clock. Special emergency teams are working to attend to the complaints promptly.

          He said that District Magistrates and officers in the field have been given specific instructions to ensure that power supply is not disrupted. Those found trying to disrupt the supply of power would invite stern action against themselves.

          In reply to a question he said that the number of absentees is more in districts of Hisar,Gurgaon,Faridabad,Ambala and Kurukshetra. He said that two incidents of causing disruption in supply of power have been reported from Hisar and Bahadurgarh, where the supply was restored.

          He said that the Government was commited   to   ensure uninterrupted supply of power to all categories of consumers in urban as well as rural areas and the Government was also taking steps to ensure that the people are not put to any inconvenience.He said that the Government would not take any step which would adversely affect the employees. He further stated that the State Government is also committed to ensure that the employees of Haryana Power Utilities are properly looked after and their interests are fully protected. The State Government understands its responsibility of serving the public as well as ensuring welfare of its employees.

          In reply to a question, Mr Gupta said that a reference has been made to the Labour Tribunal for conciliation of the dispute. All other legal measures have been taken to ensure discipline. In case an employee indulges deliberately in sabotage of power supply, strict action as per law will be taken against such person.

          Mr Rajan Gupta said  that the agitation being resorted to by a section of the employees is totally unjustified. The employees are agitating against the policy decision of the State Government of engaging service providers in 23 Sub-Divisions for undertaking maintenance works on LT system and redressing complaints of the consumers relating to interruption of power supply.

          In reply to a question he said that it was a pilot project and its results would be visible in next three-four months. This, he said, is a win-win situation for both the Government and the employees as the consumers would get good service at low cost.He hoped that the employees of the utilities would    cooperate to continue it.

          The service providers have been asked to arrange sufficient manpower and equipment so that the complaints of breakdowns received from consumers are addressed in a time bound manner.They have also been asked to carry out preventive maintenance to avoid breakdown in supply of electricity.He said that the service providers have been engaged to supplement the existing infrastructure of DISCOMs. The decision to engage companies is not intended to adversely affect any employee of the Nigams in any manner. It will rather further facilitate their functioning.
He stated that a requisition has been sent to the Haryana Staff Selection Commission for filling up of 5000 posts for managing Sub-Stations of the Power Utilities efficiently. In the last two years more than 200 Sub-Stations have been augmented or commissioned. An investment of nearly Rs. 10,000 crores has been planned in the next three years. Engaging service providers in 23 Sub-Divisions is one of the steps in the direction of greater consumer satisfaction.He made it clear that the private companies have been hired to undertake maintenance works like breakdowns and restore electricity.The remaining work would continue to be done by the existing employees of power utilityies.Therefore, as a result of this decision neither the existing employees working in these 23 sub-divisions would be retrenched nor   it would   affect their promotions.

          Mr Gupta said that the basic objective of the State Government is convenience of the public. No step has been taken which can be interpreted as adverse to the interest of the employees. The employees have been invited regularly for talks and discussions and everything has been explained to them in detail.

          He stated that policy objectives of the State Government are to serve public most efficiently, protect and watch the interest of the employees  and to take the department forward by strengthening its manpower and technical infrastructure.

          He said that the power sub-stations being the sensitive installations, police has made adequate arrangements for their safety.The police is patrolling the areas of transmission lines so as to protect them from miscreants and anti-social elements.

          In reply to another question, Mr Gupta said that the Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Lal has committed to provide electricity at an economical rate. The cost of  power generation has not been increased during 2015-16. A petition has already been filed with the Regulator to reduce the Fuel Surcharge Adjustment by 25 paise. He hoped that the power tariff would be reduced by year end