Engineers and officers from Punjab's power sector staged a significant state-level protest meeting in Patiala on Tuesday, issuing a direct appeal to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. They called for urgent intervention to restore stability and professional autonomy within the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL).
Widespread Discontent Over Political Meddling
The gathering, which included serving engineers from PSPCL, PSTCL, and BBMB, as well as retired senior officers and union representatives, voiced strong opposition to what they described as escalating political interference. The participants singled out arbitrary actions by the state's Power Minister, labeling them a severe threat to the sector's health and future.
Senior engineers and union leaders addressing the meeting highlighted a series of controversial decisions. They expressed deep concern over recent moves to sell power sector properties and assets. The protestors also pointed to obstacles being created for the 2x800 MW units project in Ropar, a critical initiative for the state's energy security.
Arbitrary Actions and Fabricated Allegations
A major point of contention was the handling of senior personnel. The attendees condemned the illegitimate suspension of a Chief Engineer without due process and the illegal removal of a Director on unsubstantiated technical grounds. Ajaypal Singh Atwal, General Secretary, emphasized the lack of evidence, stating, "It is deeply concerning that even after one full month since the suspension of CE/RTP and removal of Director Generation, not a single piece of evidence has been presented to support the fabricated allegations of a so-called 'scam.'"
The delegates argued that these arbitrary actions have severely disrupted the power sector's functioning. They warned that such moves undermine the government's own directive of "Zero Power Outage" and pose a serious long-term threat to reliable electricity supply for all citizens of Punjab.
A Unified Stand for the Power Sector
In a show of solidarity, all speakers at the Patiala meeting resolved to stand together to safeguard Punjab's power infrastructure. They passed a resolution firmly opposing any move to sell or compromise public assets of PSPCL and PSTCL. The resolution also rejected attempts to create a culture of fear or allow continued political interference in technical, administrative, and procurement decisions.
The key demands from the protest include:
- An immediate halt to the sale or monetisation of power sector assets.
- Measures to curb unwarranted political interference in technical and administrative decisions.
- Restricting the influence of external, unaccountable private consultants.
The protest meeting in Patiala marks a significant escalation in the ongoing tension between Punjab's power professionals and the state's political administration, with engineers taking a collective stand to protect the sector's operational integrity.
