Shimla, Aug 7,
Expressing support for the Government of Himachal Pradesh’s (GoHP) decision to form a sub-committee to address the issues plaguing the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL), the Himachal Pradesh Electricity Board Engineers Association (HPEA) has highlighted the most pressing issue: the absence of a permanent Managing Director. This position has been vacant for the past year and a half.
HPEA President Lokesh Thakur announced that the association is set to hold a pivotal meeting on August 9, 2024, where executive members from across the state will gather to discuss HPSEBL’s ongoing challenges.
Thakur emphasized that the current acting MD, who also manages the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) and the Department of Energy (DoE), is facing conflicting interests. He noted that the absence of a regular Managing Director has left HPSEBL in a state of uncertainty, severely affecting its operations and decision-making processes. The HPEA points out that this lack of dedicated leadership has led to the organization’s neglect, as the current MD’s divided responsibilities hamper effective management.
The HPEA has raised concerns that, despite the government’s good intentions, certain actions—guided by uninformed and inexperienced intermediaries—are detrimental to HPSEBL’s interests. One such action is the formation of the Himachal Pradesh Energy Management Corporation (HPEMC), which the HPEA argues is ultra vires and contrary to existing laws in its present form.
Additionally, the HPEA criticizes the suspension of promotions within HPSEBL under the pretext of the organization being top-heavy. The association contends that this is misinformation, as no significant new positions have been created recently. Such actions are seen as demotivating for HPSEBL staff at all levels, not just the power engineers.
The HPEA hopes that the Hon’ble Chief Minister will take their grievances into account through the sub-committee and implement necessary actions in the best interest of HPSEBL and its consumers.
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