The All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) has made an urgent appeal to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, calling for his direct intervention to address what it describes as a series of arbitrary and vindictive actions destabilizing the state's power sector.
Core Demands to Restore Stability
In a significant move, Shailender Dubey, Chairman of AIPEF, has formally urged the Chief Minister to take immediate corrective steps. The federation's primary demands include the withdrawal of what they term as arbitrary transfer orders, the restoration of due process and technical autonomy within power utilities, and the upholding of the sanctity of the existing tripartite agreement.
The body emphasized that these confidence-building measures are crucial to restoring industrial peace and safeguarding the long-term interests of both the power sector and its consumers in Punjab. The AIPEF expressed deep concern, stating that alarming developments are continuously eroding the technical integrity and institutional stability of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL).
Allegations of Mala Fide Actions and Growing Unrest
The power engineers' body accused the management and the government of engaging in mala fide attempts to suppress ongoing agitation. They characterized recent actions as widely perceived punitive and vindictive measures. Despite raising serious issues, the AIPEF noted that no remedial action has been observed so far, leading to continued protests by engineers and employees across the sector.
V K Gupta, Media Advisor for AIPEF, informed that the Joint Action Committee, representing power sector employees, engineers, and pensioners, has already held a meeting with the PSPCL Chairman and Managing Director to highlight these pressing issues.
Key Concerns Highlighted by the Federation
The AIPEF outlined a list of critical concerns requiring government attention:
- Arbitrary suspensions and removal of senior engineers, which undermines due process and professional morale.
- The proposed sale of power sector assets, which they argue jeopardizes future infrastructure needs, the financial health of utilities, and could lead to higher consumer tariffs, potentially violating the Electricity Act, 2003.
- Growing political interference and excessive reliance on non-technical consultants, eroding institutional professionalism and threatening operational reliability.
- Violation of the tripartite agreement through the dilution of qualifications and ad-hoc appointments of CMDs.
- Weakening of the state generation sector, particularly the move away from public sector development of the 2×800 MW Ropar project, a shift that may result in costlier power and higher tariffs.
- Apprehensions regarding the proposed Electricity Amendment Bill, 2025, which is seen as diluting the role of states in a concurrent subject.
The federation warned that instead of defusing tensions, recent management actions have further aggravated the situation. The AIPEF stated it has a duty to caution the government about the rapidly growing unrest stemming from undue political interference in the power sector, stressing that the current path threatens the sector's future and consumer welfare.
