PSPCL engineers to resort to work-to-rule
Power generation in the state likely to be hit
Umesh Dewan
Tribune News Service

Patiala, November 13
With engineers working with the Power Corporation announcing to resort to "work-to-rule" from tomorrow, a decrease in thermal power generation appears inevitable.

This engineers’ protest may plunge some parts of the state into darkness in case of a technical snag in any of the thermal plants after dusk. President of the PSEB Engineers' Association HS Bedi said: "Since the recommendations by the committee constituted by Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) for revision of the generation incentive (GI) have been ignored by the management, our association has been compelled to take the harsh decision of resorting to work-to-rule from Monday.

“The Power Corporation has won several awards for its performance. But at the meeting of the Board of Directors on November 11, the corporation decided on a meagre increase of 15-20 per cent GI, which is a cruel joke on the thermal engineers. We appeal to the CM to intervene in the matter."

The strike by the engineers would mean that they would not handle/operate any equipment for which they have not been specifically trained. Furthermore, no equipment, including generators, would be operated beyond the rated capacity.

Senior functionaries of the corporation, say that the engineers play the most important role in the day-to-day functioning of thermal plants.

"If there is a major breakdown during the night hours, it will not be possible to handle the situation without the assistance of engineers. So, the management should find a way out to deal with the issue", said an officer attached with the office of the Director, Generation.

Talks between representatives of the PSEB Joint Forum and the PSPCL management failed this afternoon. "Since the management has failed to issue orders regarding the demands of the employees, we will start protest demonstrations from November 15 and hold rallies in all parts of the state", said Karamchand Bhardwaj, secretary, PSEB Joint Forum.

Director Generation, PSPCL, GS Chhabra refused to comment on the matter, saying the minutes of the meeting of the Board of Directors were yet to come.