Punjab's Power Corporation Faces Leadership Crisis
The Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) is currently grappling with a severe leadership vacuum, operating with only two full-time directors from its cadre. This critical shortage has raised serious concerns about decision-making capabilities and governance within Punjab's power sector, especially as employee protests continue to escalate.
Key Positions Remain Vacant Amid Growing Unrest
The situation deteriorated significantly after PSPCL terminated the services of Director (Generation) Harjit Singh on November 4, reducing the number of full-time directors from three to just two. Currently, only Director (Finance) S K Beri and Director (Commercial) Inderpal Singh remain as the corporation's full-time technocrat directors.
Government-appointed directors continue to hold their positions, including IAS officers Bhawna Garg and Alok Shekhar, along with Basant Garg, who serves simultaneously as Power Secretary and Chief Managing Director (CMD) of both PSPCL and PSTCL.
The termination of Director (Generation) Harjit Singh and the suspension of the chief engineer of Ropar and Goindwal Sahib thermal plants occurred due to alleged discrepancies in fuel cost management at state-run thermal power plants, sparking the current wave of employee protests.
Unsustainable Workload Distribution
In response to the leadership shortage, CMD Basant Garg issued an office order on November 8 that redistributed charges among the remaining directors. According to the order, Director Distribution will handle the additional charge of Director Generation and Director Commercial, while Director Finance will manage Director HR and Director Administration responsibilities.
This arrangement means that the two remaining technocrat directors from PSPCL are currently holding three charges each, a situation that the PSEB Engineers' Association (PSEBEA) has described as completely unsustainable for effective power sector management.
The PSEBEA had previously warned the Punjab government about this impending crisis. In a letter to the Chief Minister in March this year, the association had urgently requested the government to fill all vacant director-level positions before the onset of the crucial paddy season. However, no appointments have been finalized to date.
Selection Process Stalled Despite Urgent Need
Although the selection process for Director Commercial (PSPCL), Director HR (PSPCL), and Director Technical (PSTCL) began in 2024, the power department has been unable to complete the appointment process. This delay has created significant operational challenges for both power corporations.
PSEBEA members have emphasized that these crucial vacancies are not only disrupting day-to-day decision-making but also creating widespread uncertainty within the organization. The association notes that this situation is directly affecting the operational efficiency of Punjab's power sector and hampering long-term planning initiatives.
The leadership crisis extends beyond director-level positions. Since the retirement of technocrat CMD Baldev Singh Sra in February this year, the posts of CMD for both PSPCL and PSTCL have been handled by the Power Secretary as an additional charge - a practice that the engineers' association has consistently opposed.
Broader Impact on Power Sector Governance
Several other key technical positions across Punjab's power infrastructure remain either vacant or are being managed through additional charge arrangements. These include critical roles such as Member Power at the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), Member Technical at the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC), and Chief Electrical Inspector.
Ajaypal Singh Atwal, General Secretary of PSEBEA, expressed grave concerns about the current imbalance in the corporation's leadership structure. "With PSPCL-nominated directors now fewer in number and holding multiple charges, it directly leads to increased government interference," Atwal stated.
He further emphasized the urgent need for balanced representation: "We presently have only two whole-time PSPCL directors and three government-nominated directors on the board. These posts must be filled urgently to bring clarity, balance and transparency in decision-making."
The PSEBEA has consistently demanded separate CMDs for PSPCL and PSTCL and the appointment of regular technocrat directors to ensure proper autonomy and technical independence within the corporations.
As protests by PSPCL employees continue over perceived political interference and recent disciplinary actions, the internal imbalance in the corporation's leadership structure has added another layer of tension. This situation has intensified demands for immediate and comprehensive reforms in Punjab's power sector governance, particularly with critical agricultural seasons approaching.
