Haryana power employees withdraw 3-day strike after talks with Anil Vij
Govt gets two months to implement agreed demands; stakeholders to be consulted on Agri DISCOM
After marathon rounds of meetings, talks between Haryana Energy Minister Anil Vij and representatives of various power employees’ unions, associations and the Joint Action Front bore results.
Following detailed discussions on all issues, the Joint Action Front of the unions announced the withdrawal of its proposed three-day strike from August 11 to 13. The Front gave the government two months to implement the demands agreed upon.
Stakeholders to be consulted on formation of Agri DISCOM
On the issue of a parallel licence in the Gurugram-Nuh area, Energy Minister Anil Vij made it clear that the Energy Department had opposed the proposal submitted before the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) from the very beginning.
Regarding the formation of an Agri DISCOM, Vij said that although it was announced by the Chief Minister in the Budget speech, no concrete action had so far been initiated at the departmental level. He clarified that he had not yet held any formal discussion with the Chief Minister on the matter. However, if any decision or discussion took place on the issue in the future, stakeholders would be consulted.
Option of prepaid and postpaid smart meters
Clarifying the position on the smart meter project, the Minister said no fresh tender had currently been issued for the procurement of smart meters. He also stated that consumers would continue to have the option of choosing either prepaid or postpaid smart meters.
Proposal for various posts to be sent to Rationalisation Commission shortly
Regarding the creation and re-creation of various posts in all four power corporations, union representatives were informed that a proposal in this regard would be sent to the Rationalisation Commission shortly. The Energy Minister directed officials to request the Commission to complete the process within a stipulated timeframe so that the matter could be resolved at the earliest.
Similarly, union representatives thanked the Energy Minister for his decision regarding the online transfer policy, under which technical posts below the level of Junior Engineer had, for the time being, been kept outside the online transfer policy.
Medical cashless, mediclaim issues to be taken up
The Minister also directed the concerned officials to make promotions to various categories of posts in accordance with the applicable rules and the roster register. Regarding medical cashless and mediclaim facilities, the Minister assured union representatives that a meeting would be held with the Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department to raise the issues faced by employees of the Energy Department.
Risk allowance, salary increment for DC-rate employees in power corporations
Regarding salary increments for employees working under DC rates in the power corporations, Vij said such employees working against various posts should be provided rates at par with those under the Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam (HKRN).
Vij informed the union representatives that employees engaged in various hazardous duties should receive a risk allowance. He said a committee would be constituted to examine the matter and submit its report within a stipulated period.
Similarly, Vij directed officials to study the electricity allowances being provided by power corporations in all states across the country and present a detailed report on the matter.
In addition, Vij directed that ex-gratia benefits in cases of death or accidents while on duty should be applicable without the condition of five years of service. Officials informed the meeting that a proposal in this regard had already been sent to the government.
Demand to increase JE promotion quota from 35% to 50% discussed
The demand raised by the HSEB Diploma Engineers Association to increase the quota for promotion of Junior Engineers from 35 per cent to 50 per cent was also discussed in detail. Vij assured the representatives that the matter would be examined and suggestions would also be sought from employee representatives.
Similarly, the association raised the issue of providing cadre-specific Assured Career Progression (ACP). The Energy Minister said the matter would be placed before the department’s internal sub-committee for detailed examination, and suggestions from employee representatives would also be sought.
The meeting was attended by Energy Department Commissioner and Secretary Ashima Brar, Managing Director of Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Limited (HVPNL) Dr Aditya Dahiya, Managing Director of Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam and Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Vikram Singh, along with senior officers of various power corporations and other senior officials.
The employee representatives included Devendra Hooda, chairman, AHPC Workers Union, Hisar; Bijender Barar, Yashpal Deshwal, Rajendra Rana and Ravinder Dhankhar from the Haryana Bijli Karamchari and Engineers Joint Sangharsh Morcha; Abhimanyu Dhankhar, state president, HSEB Diploma Engineers Association; Vipin Bhardwaj, general secretary; and other representatives, including Krishan Pal, Pradeep Kumar, Vikas, Pankaj Kumar and Aman Kumar, along with office-bearers of various employee organisations and unions.
