Tamil Nadu Power Corporation Authorizes Summer Staff Hiring Amid Safety Concerns
The Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd (TNPDCL) has issued directives to all field officers across the state to engage additional temporary manpower for the upcoming summer season. This move aims to bolster efforts to restore power supply swiftly in case of failures within the distribution network during the peak demand period.
Staffing Quotas and Recruitment Process
According to the official instructions, specific staffing quotas have been established based on region. For Chennai and its surrounding districts, each assistant engineer is authorized to engage up to eight personnel to manage their respective jurisdictions. In hill stations such as Ooty and Kodaikanal, the approved number is six personnel per assistant engineer. Other sections across the state can engage five personnel each.
These temporary positions are set for a duration of 120 days, spanning from February 1 to May 31. The recruitment is being handled through contractors, with executive engineers having already floated tenders for the interim hiring of supporting staff. A TNPDCL official clarified the role of these new hires, stating, "They will support wiremen and gangmen. Their duties include digging roads to address issues with underground cables and assisting wiremen in attending to overhead cables."
In areas like T Nagar in Chennai, five personnel have already been appointed under this initiative.
Expert Warnings Over Safety and Qualifications
Despite the operational need, experts in the electrical field have raised significant concerns regarding the safety implications of deploying untrained personnel for high-risk jobs. They warn that such practices could exacerbate problems and potentially lead to fatal accidents.
M Nagalingam of the Tamilnadu Electricians Welfare Association emphasized, "There are many skilled laborers with proper grade certificates available, and they should be given priority for these roles. Engaging unqualified persons not only violates safety protocols but also endangers lives."
This concern is underscored by past incidents, such as the electrocution death of a gangman in KK Nagar in 2023, who was reportedly forced to work on the underground power supply network without adequate training.
Former chief electrical inspector Appavoo Subbiya echoed these warnings, stating, "Engaging unqualified persons for major TNPDCL work is a clear violation of safety standards. Sadly, this is happening rampantly. The state should instead focus on creating a pool of qualified and certified individuals to handle such critical tasks."
Broader Implications and Regional Focus
The hiring initiative comes at a time when Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu are preparing for increased electricity consumption during the hot summer months. While the additional manpower is intended to enhance response times and maintenance capabilities, the debate highlights a critical tension between operational demands and workforce safety.
Experts argue that without proper training and certification, temporary staff may lack the necessary skills to handle complex electrical systems safely, increasing the risk of accidents that could disrupt services further or cause harm. This situation calls for a balanced approach that addresses both the immediate need for manpower and the long-term requirement for a skilled, safe workforce in the power sector.
