ENERGY DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES CALL OFF THREE-DAY STRIKE FOLLOWING ASSURANCE BY ENERGY MINISTER ANIL VIJ

Face2News/Chandigarh

A detailed and positive meeting was held today under the chairmanship of Haryana Energy Minister Anil Vij with representatives of various employee unions, associations and Morchas of the Energy Department. Following detailed discussions on all issues, the Joint Action Committee of the unions announced the withdrawal of its proposed three-day strike from August 11 to 13.

The meeting was attended by Energy Department Commissioner and Secretary Smt. Ashima Brar, Managing Director of Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Limited (HVPNL) Dr. Aditya Dahiya, Managing Director of Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam and Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Sh. Vikram Singh, along with senior officers of various power corporations and other senior officials of the Energy Department.

During the meeting, representatives of the Joint Action Committee stated that they had decided to withdraw the proposed strike following the assurances given by Energy Minister Anil Vij regarding their three major demands — formation of an Agri DISCOM, grant of a licence to a parallel private power company, and installation of smart meters.

*“What I am saying is that we have opposed it”  

On the issue of a parallel licence in the Gurugram-Nuh area, Energy Minister Anil Vij made it clear that the Energy Department has opposed the proposal from the very beginning. He said that the file recording the department’s objection had also been approved at his level. Vij said that the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) is an autonomous body and that the application for a parallel licence has been submitted before the Commission. The Energy Department has no role in the matter. He stated that “What I am saying is that we have opposed it and continue to oppose it.” Vij further clarified that “we can also file an appeal in this matter because we have opposed it; we are not in favour of it.”

*Stakeholders will be consulted on formation of Agri DISCOM 

Regarding the formation of an Agri DISCOM, Vij said that although it was announced by the Chief Minister in the Budget speech, no concrete action has so far been initiated at the departmental level. He clarified that he has also not yet held any formal discussion with the Chief Minister on the matter. However, if any decision or discussion takes place on the issue in the future, stakeholders will be consulted.

*Consumers will have the option of prepaid and postpaid smart meters 

Clarifying the position on the smart meter project, the Energy Minister said that no fresh tender has currently been issued for the procurement of smart meters. He also stated that consumers will continue to have the option of choosing either prepaid or postpaid smart meters.

*Proposal to be sent to Rationalisation Commission shortly 

Regarding the creation and re-creation of various posts in all four power corporations, union representatives were informed that a proposal in this regard would be sent to the Rationalisation Commission shortly. The Energy Minister directed officials to request the Commission to complete the process within a stipulated timeframe so that the matter could be resolved at the earliest. Similarly, union representatives thanked the Energy Minister for his decision regarding the online transfer policy, under which technical posts below the level of Junior Engineer have, for the time being, been kept outside the online transfer policy.

*Medical cashless and mediclaim issues to be taken up with Additional Chief Secretary, health 

The Minister also directed the concerned officials to make promotions to various categories of posts in accordance with the applicable rules and the roster register. Regarding medical cashless and mediclaim facilities, the Minister assured union representatives that a meeting would be held with the Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department to raise the issues faced by employees of the Energy Department.

*Risk allowance and salary increment for DC-rate employees in power corporations discussed 

Regarding salary increment for employees working under DC rates in the power corporations, Vij said that such employees working against various posts should be provided rates at par with those under HKRN. He directed the department to send a case to the Government/Chief Secretary in this regard. The issue of risk allowance for employees was also discussed. Vij informed the union representatives that employees engaged in various hazardous duties should receive a risk allowance. He said that a committee would be constituted to examine the matter and submit its report within a stipulated period.

Similarly, the issue of electricity allowance was discussed. Vij directed officials to study the electricity allowances being provided by power corporations in all states across the country and present a detailed report on the matter in the next meeting. In addition, Vij directed that ex-gratia benefits in cases of death or accidents while on duty should be applicable without the condition of five years of service. Officials informed the meeting that a proposal in this regard has already been sent to the Government.

*Issue of increasing promotion quota for Junior Engineers from 35% to 50% discussed in detail

During the meeting, the demand raised by the HSEB Diploma Engineers Association to increase the quota for the promotion of Junior Engineers from 35 per cent to 50 per cent was also discussed in detail. Vij assured the representatives that the matter would be examined and suggestions would also be sought from employee representatives. Similarly, the association raised the issue of providing cadre-specific Assured Career Progression (ACP). The Energy Minister said that the matter would be placed before the department’s internal sub-committee for detailed examination, and suggestions from employee representatives would also be sought.

Following the discussion on these issues and the assurances given by Sh. Vij, the HSEB Diploma Engineers Association also withdrew its proposed strike.

The meeting was attended by Sh. Devendra Hooda, Chairman, AHPC Workers Union, Hisar; Sh. Bijender Barar, Sh. Yashpal Deshwal, Sh.Rajendra Rana and Sh. Ravinder Dhankhar from the Haryana Bijli Karamchari and Engineers Joint Sangharsh Morcha; Sh. Abhimanyu Dhankhar, State President, HSEB Diploma Engineers Association; Sh. Vipin Bhardwaj, General Secretary; and other representatives including Krishan Pal, Pradeep Kumar, Vikas, Pankaj Kumar and Aman Kumar, along with office-bearers of various employee organisations and unions.