Employees of the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board are set to intensify their protests against the government, driven by fears of privatisation and job cuts. From October 28, the employees have planned to stage a statewide protest if their long-standing demands are not heeded. The Joint Front of Engineers and Employees, representing both engineers and employees of the board, has given a stern warning to the government during an emergency meeting held on Thursday.
One of the major issues fuelling the unrest is the possibility of the power board being handed over to private companies, which the employees have vowed to oppose. “We will not allow the board to be dissolved and privatised,” said Joint Front president Lokesh Thakur. General secretary Hiralal Verma also echoed the same sentiment, warning that resentment was growing among employees due to the government’s inaction on their demands.
Join our WhatsApp channel for latest news of Himachal
The primary demand of the employees is the immediate restoration of 51 abolished engineering cadre posts, as per the official notification issued on October 16, 2024. Besides, they are demanding the withdrawal of the order to terminate 81 outsourced drivers, many of whom have been serving the board for over a decade. The protesters are also demanding the restoration of the old pension system and insisting that no assets should be transferred without consultation with the Samyukta Morcha, as stipulated in the Vidyut Board Transfer Scheme of 2010.
Other key issues include the immediate start of the selection process for the 1,030 sanctioned posts of T/Mate and filling up of other vacancies across the board. The employees are also demanding the release of their long-pending pension and salary arrears.
In an attempt to pressurise the government, Vidyut Board employees have already started a “Work to Rule” protest, where they refuse to render field services between 6 pm and 9 am. As a result, there are signs of disruption in power supply in various parts of the state, especially during night hours. The employees have also halted the ongoing Know Your Customer (KYC) project for consumers.
“If the government and the board management continue to ignore our demands, we will be forced to intensify the protest,” Verma said.
He warned that more stringent action will be taken in the coming days if the situation is not resolved. The United Front has called upon the state government and the power board management to take immediate and responsible action to prevent escalation of tensions and maintain industrial peace in Himachal Pradesh. With essential services already affected, the protests are likely to continue for a long time if a timely solution is not reached through negotiations.
Urgent Notice: Proposed Abolition of Posts in HPSEBL by the Government of Himachal Pradesh
Continuing the achievement of the journey of effectiveness and credibility of more than 10 years in the career of journalism, as a woman journalist, I am Serving as the founder, promoter and editor of DiaryTimes with the trust and support of all. My credible coverage may not have given a big shape to the numbers, but my journey presents articles that make you aware of the exact and meaningful situations of Himachal’s politics, ground issues related to the public, business, tourism and the difficult geographical conditions of the state and financial awareness. DiaryTimes, full of the experience of my precise editorial expertise, is awakening the flame of credible journalism among all of you, so that the eternal flame of meaningful change can be lit in the life of the people of the state and the atrocities being committed against the people can be brought to the fore, I am motivated for that. If even a small change comes with the power of my journalism and the whole world becomes a witness to that issues, then I will consider myself fortunate.
