Shimla, Oct 28,
Engineers of the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (HPSEB) launched a statewide token protest today, intensifying their confrontation with the government over the recent abolition of 51 engineering posts, the dismissal of 81 outsourced drivers, and the prolonged demand for the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).
The Joint Front of HPSEB Engineers, representing these employees, has cautioned that if their demands are unmet before Diwali, they may escalate protests, potentially resulting in a statewide blackout.
Today’s protest stems from decisions by the government that Joint Front co-convener Heera Lal Verma described as “unfortunate.” Engineers are particularly disturbed by the abolition of essential posts within the HPSEB and the loss of outsourced drivers, some of whom have served for over a decade.
Verma emphasized that HPSEB engineers have been pressing for the restoration of OPS for 21 months, and the government’s recent actions have fueled further unrest. “If our demands aren’t met, HPSEB engineers will halt work in a full-scale protest, which could lead to a blackout across the state,” warned Verma.
The termination of outsourced drivers has sparked particular concern, as many drivers have served the board for 10 to 15 years and now face abrupt job loss.
The government defended the terminations, citing outdated vehicles that fail to meet current central regulations. However, engineers view these cuts as part of a broader trend eroding HPSEB’s workforce, reducing operational efficiency.
Recent discussions between the Joint Front and a cabinet sub-committee chaired by Minister Rajesh Dharmani revealed that the government is also considering transferring HPSEB assets, such as communication lines and sub-centers, to separate entities—a move engineers fear could destabilize the board.
With the protest gaining traction, the engineers have warned of escalating their agitation to a full strike if their demands are not addressed. In support, the All-India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) has voiced solidarity with HPSEB engineers, with AIPEF Chairman Shailendra Dubey calling on Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to intervene.
Dubey emphasized that if issues remain unresolved, power sector engineers nationwide are prepared to back HPSEB engineers, increasing pressure on the government to address their grievances before the situation escalates further.
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