Chandigarh, Aug 10 (PTI) The Energy department employees’ unions on Monday withdraw their proposed three-day strike following detailed discussions pertaining to their demands with Haryana Minister Anil Vij here on Monday.
A detailed and positive meeting was held with representatives of various employee unions, associations and morchas of the Energy Department, an official statement said.
Following detailed discussions on all issues, the Joint Action Committee of the unions announced the withdrawal of its proposed three-day strike from August 11 to 13.
The meeting was attended by Energy Department Commissioner and Secretary Ashima Brar, Managing Director of Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Limited (HVPNL) Aditya Dahiya, Managing Director of Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam and Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Vikram Singh, along with senior officers of various power corporations and other senior officials of the Energy Department.
During the meeting, representatives of the Joint Action Committee stated that they had decided to withdraw the proposed strike following the assurances given by Energy Minister Anil Vij regarding their three major demands pertaining to formation of an Agri DISCOM, grant of a licence to a parallel private power company, and installation of smart meters.
Earlier on Friday, Vij had said the unions had primarily raised three key demands which included that electricity distribution should not be privatised through the grant of a parallel distribution licence.
On the issue of a parallel licence in the Gurugram-Nuh area, Vij on Monday made it clear that the Energy Department has opposed the proposal from the very beginning.
He said that the file recording the department’s objection had also been approved at his level.
Vij clarified that the application for a parallel electricity distribution licence was submitted directly to Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC), an autonomous body, and not through the Energy Department.
Vij said that the Energy Department has no role in the matter. He stated that “What I am saying is that we have opposed it and continue to oppose it.” Vij further clarified that “we can also file an appeal in this matter because we have opposed it; we are not in favour of it.” Regarding the opposition of the unions to formation of an Agri DISCOM, Vij said that although it was announced by the Chief Minister in the Budget speech, no concrete action has so far been initiated at the departmental level.
He clarified that he has also not yet held any formal discussion with the Chief Minister on the matter. However, if any decision or discussion takes place on the issue in the future, stakeholders will be consulted, he said.
Clarifying the position on the smart meter project, the Energy Minister said that no fresh tender has currently been issued for the procurement of smart meters.
He also stated that consumers will continue to have the option of choosing either prepaid or postpaid smart meters.
Regarding the creation and re-creation of various posts in all four power corporations, union representatives were informed that a proposal in this regard would be sent to the Rationalisation Commission shortly.
Vij directed officials to request the Commission to complete the process within a stipulated timeframe so that the matter could be resolved at the earliest.
The union representatives thanked the Energy Minister for his decision regarding the online transfer policy, under which technical posts below the level of Junior Engineer have, for the time being, been kept outside the online transfer policy.
The Minister also directed the concerned officials to make promotions to various categories of posts in accordance with the applicable rules and the roster register. Regarding medical cashless and mediclaim facilities, the Minister assured union representatives that a meeting would be held with the Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department to raise the issues faced by employees of the Energy Department.
Similarly, the issue of electricity allowance was also discussed.
Vij directed officials to study the electricity allowances being provided by power corporations in all states across the country and present a detailed report on the matter in the next meeting.
In addition, Vij directed that ex-gratia benefits in cases of death or accidents while on duty should be applicable without the condition of five years of service. Officials informed the meeting that a proposal in this regard has already been sent to the Government.
The unions/Associations raised the issue of providing cadre-specific Assured Career Progression (ACP). The Energy Minister said that the matter would be placed before the department’s internal sub-committee for detailed examination, and suggestions from employee representatives would also be sought. PTI SUN NB NB
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