Several unions representing employees and pensioners of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) held a meeting on Sunday and strongly criticized the state power minister for failing to deliver on previously agreed commitments. The gathering included the PSEB Employees Joint Forum, Bijli Mulazim Ekta Manch Punjab, Association of Junior Engineers, Grid Sub-Station Employees Union, Powercom and Transco Pensioners Union Punjab, and the Pensioners Welfare Federation.
Unfulfilled Agreements
The unions accused the power minister and PSPCL management of not implementing a series of agreements reached earlier. Key financial grievances include the failure to grant corporation pay scales to employees recruited after July 17, 2020, and the denial of pay benefits for those promoted after November 17, 2021. Additionally, they demanded the implementation of a finance circular for the Junior Engineer (JE) category, revision of basic pay, and resolution of wage issues for contingency workers. Other demands include waiving the 12 percent interest imposed under the solatium policy, addressing recruitment issues, providing service benefits for contract workers, facilitating promotions across all categories, and regularizing contract staff.
Planned Protests
The unions announced a series of escalating actions. They will hold statewide sit-ins and march to the Chief Minister's residence in Sangrur on June 28. Following that, from July 1, they will launch a “work-to-rule” campaign, restricting their duties to prescribed hours only. In the third week of July, employees plan to take collective leave, while pensioners will present themselves for arrest outside the offices of Deputy Commissioners across the state.
Working Conditions and Vacancies
Union leaders highlighted the challenging conditions faced by employees, who work round-the-clock in unsafe environments to ensure electricity supply. They noted that 45,000 posts remain vacant, and there is a severe shortage of safety kits and equipment. Despite these hardships, they said, their genuine demands are being ignored by the authorities.
