MSEDCL staffers to be shifted

NAGPUR: Even as the Nagpur industrial court is hearing the petition of 357 linemen and helpers, who were earlier posted in franchisee area and were transferred to Akola zone, MSEDCL is facing a situation wherein it will have to transfer over 400 employees out of the district.

The transfer of 357 staffers has also created trouble for MSEDCL with one lineman committing suicide on Wednesday. According to the unions, another lineman died due to brain hemorrhage due to anxiety over his transfer. MSEDCL officers fear that when more staffers learn about their fate it could lead to further trouble.

The top officials have so far not clearly stated as to what would be done with the surplus clerks, technicians, substation operators, etc. However, figures available with TOI reveal that around 430 staffers will have to posted in other zones.

Total 1,118 MSEDCL staffers were working in the franchisee area. Of which only 15 to 16 opted to join Spanco. The remaining 1,100 odd employees chose to remain with MSEDCL. However, another 16 or 17 employees working elsewhere in the district have opted for deputation.

Last week, eight deputy executive engineers were transferred out of the district. In all, 357 line staffers were posted in Akola zone. Of the remaining 700-plus employees, 56 junior engineers and assistant engineers will be posted within the district.

TOI has learnt that there are only around 300 posts vacant in the district. Fifty six posts will be filled by the transferred engineers leaving 240 plus posts. This would leave 430 surplus staffers, which include substation operators, clerks, typists, senior linemen, sweepers, peons, etc.

Local MSEDCL officers refused to comment stating that the transfers would be decided by HR wing at Mumbai head office. MSEDCL's calculations have gone haywire because Spanco agreed to hike the basic salary of deputationists by only 10%, which effectively translates into a wage hike of 5% after considering the allowances. While Spanco felt that MSEDCL staffers were overpaid compared to private sector, the company employees wanted a substantial hike to switch over to a private company where the job is more demanding.