HPSEBL employees threaten mass protests over unmet demands

Himachalscape bureau Published: October 24, 2024 | Updated: October 24, 2024 2 minutes read

Old photo of HPSEB employees meeting with State government on Wednesday. Photo used for indicative purpose only

Shimla, Oct 24,

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The Joint Front of HPSEBL Employees and Engineers has issued a stern warning to the state government and the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (HPSEBL) management, threatening mass protests if their seven key demands are not met by October 28.

The Front’s demands include the restoration of 51 abolished engineering cadre posts, the withdrawal of retrenchment orders for 81 outsourced staff, the implementation of the Old Pension System, adherence to the Bipartite Agreement regarding asset transfer, initiation of the selection process for 1030 T/mate posts, the release of arrears of pension and salary, and the release of pending terminal benefits.

Expressing its disappointment with the management’s reluctance to address these issues, the Front stated that there is growing discontent among employees and engineers, which could lead to widespread protests if the demands are not met.

In response to the Front’s concerns, MLA and chairperson of a cabinet subcommittee, Rajesh Dharmani, explained on Wednesday in a media note that the recent restructuring decisions were part of a larger effort to reduce operational costs and improve the efficiency of HPSEBL. He emphasized that no engineers have been laid off, but their services have been reallocated to areas where they are needed most.

Regarding the outsourced employees, Dharmani clarified that HPSEBL works with employee-providing companies to meet its staffing needs. These companies are responsible for managing outsourced employees, and the Board contacts them as per its requirement. He also stated that the board is adopting an eco-friendly vehicle policy, which has led to the surplus of 81 outsourced drivers.

The Himachal Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (HPERC) has advocated for a reduction in the employee cost of HPSEBL, which is one of the highest in the country. This high cost has been cited as the reason behind the rising electricity tariffs, which are affecting both investment and the economy of the state.

The Front’s demands and the government’s response highlight the ongoing tensions between the employees and the management of HPSEBL. It remains to be seen whether the government will address the Front’s concerns before the October 28 deadline, or if mass protests will indeed take place.

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