Joint Front to Oppose move to Abolish posts in HPSEBL

SHIMLA: It has come to the notice of the Joint Front of Electricity Employees and Engineers that Government of Himachal Pradesh and the management of HPSEBL is proposing to abolish several posts in HPSEBL, especially related to works sections infield offices.In this regard, the Joint Front has called an emergent meeting on 17.10.2024 to deliberate on this issue. The works section have been created in those field offices where the officer-in-charge must carry out frequent site inspections and other field related works in addition to routine
administrative matters pertaining to the office. The Joint Front has already written a letter to
the Hon’ble Chief Minister regarding the importance of these offices.
It has, therefore, come as a surprise to the Joint Front that such a move is being contemplated
in HPSEBL. It does need bear repeating here that the HPSEBL is reeling under a severe staff
crunch, but it is surprising that instead of alleviating the situation, it is being proposed to worsen
the situation by creating an artificial scarcity of Engineers at all levels, which is likely to
severely affect the working of HPSEBL. Further, any such movie without a detailed study will affect the basic structure of HPSEBL, which has run like a well-oiled machine in Himachal providing 24 hours supply to all parts of the state since the late 1980s. Changing the basic structure of the organisation without consultation with the Joint Front will not only hamper the functioning of HPSEBL but will also
be a betrayal of the bipartite agreement executed between GoHP and the Joint Front.
It also needs to be said that this move on the part of the Government is contrary to its earlier actions of creating a Chief Engineer and Superintending Engineer office at Hamirpur and Dehra respectively. Various constituents of the Joint Front had written to the Hon’ble Chief Minister
that the creation of these offices will not benefit HPSEBL in any way, but are likely to cause administrative issues in day-to-day operation of HPSEBL. It is also not understood how the abolition of these posts will improve the financial health of
HPSEBL, as being a regulated entity the entire employee cost of HPSEBL has been incorporated in the tariff structure for the year. In fact, the abolition of these posts will only lead to unemployment in the State where opportunities for jobs are few and far between as it is. It has been repeated on various forums that HPSEBL has a high employee cost compared to other States, but that is a misrepresentation of facts, because not only does HPSEBL provide supply in the difficult terrains not found in most States, but is also providing the power without interruption and at a cost which is lower than most states.
The Joint Front is hopeful that good sense will prevail and no such action shall be initiated by the HPSEBL. However, if any such action is taken, the Joint Front will strongly oppose the
move and will not hesitate to come on a road against this unilateral decision.