PSPCL Staff To Observe 2 Day Stir In Patiala

As the talks with the Power secretary regarding the demand for a higher grade pay and arrears of the pay commission, failed, almost  half of the strength of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) will be observing a two day strike from mid-night. However, some respite is being observed to PSPCL as the Council of the Junior Engineers has decided to withdraw the strike and has also agreed to oversee the operation of power distribution.

The PSPCL has approximately 55,000 employees on the rolls and except the power engineers and junior engineers, most of the staff, including technical and clerical staff, would go on strike and hold rallies outside the PSPCL offices in the entire state.

Power Secretary Anirudh Tiwari, along with the senior PSPCL officials, held several rounds of discussion with the employees’ union, but failed to break the ice over the grade pay issue and immediate release of pay commission arrears.

In separate talks, he, however, managed to convince the junior engineers that the government would implement their demand of correction or grade pay and time-bound promotions at the earliest, following which the JE Council withdrew the strike.

Karamchand Bhardwaj, a leader of the Employees’ Joint Forum, said nearly 35,000 employees of the PSPCL would observe strike and hold rallies against the government.

Meanwhile, the PSPCL management has asked the officials in field to ensure all possible steps to maintain regular power supply in areas.