Shimla, Dec 18,
The Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Employees’ Union has expressed serious concerns over what they termed as the “mismanagement and experimentation” within the board by bureaucratic interference over the past two years. Union leader Hira lal Verma and others claimed that the board has been turned into a “laboratory” by officials, leading to chaos in its functioning.
Raising doubts about the role of a consultant appointed in the energy sector, the union alleged that wrong policies have led to severe financial challenges for employees. Key benefits such as gratuity, leave encashment, overtime, medical bill reimbursements, and 20% arrears on revised pay scales have been pending for years.
The union also criticized the government’s financial policies, stating that while claiming a financial crunch, the government has abolished posts, discontinued services of outsourced employees, and stalled promotions within the board. However, new offices are being opened, costing crores of rupees, further worsening the financial condition of the board.
Union President raised concerns that employees are retiring without receiving due promotions, as promotion files are unnecessarily being sent to the Chief Minister’s office, causing delays.
The union warned that if these issues are not addressed promptly, they will have no choice but to initiate a state-wide protest.
Noteworthy that the HPSEB joint front has been constantly in talks with the State government, over issues pertaining to policies, and termination of outsourced 81 employees.
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