HP Electricity Board employees protest against outsourcing, pending demands

Employees and pensioners of the Himachal Pradesh Electricity Board (HPEB) in Una district, under the Joint Action Committee, held a ‘Maha Panchayat’ at Una district headquarters to protest the board’s inaction on their long-pending demands and its attempts to outsource various works. They warned of intensified agitation if their demands were not addressed soon.

A large number of current and former employees gathered at the Old Truck Union ground in Una city, where Hira Lal Verma, Convenor of the State Joint Action Committee, addressed them. He expressed disappointment that despite raising several demands at a state-level meeting chaired by the Chief Minister, none had been fulfilled.

Verma criticised the board’s decision to cut sanctioned posts under the pretext of rationalisation, which has increased the workload on existing employees. He condemned the recent reduction of 51 posts and demanded their reinstatement along with fresh recruitment. He also insisted that employees recruited after 2003 should be given the benefits of the old pension scheme.

Further, he urged the Board to clear pending leave encashment and gratuity payments and release pension amounts that have been delayed for two years. He called for a permanent policy for outsourced employees and demanded the reinstatement of 81 outsourced drivers who were recently terminated.

The trade union leader also emphasised that the provisions of the bilateral agreement between the State Government and the Joint Action Committee should be respected. He stated that Board properties should not be sold or transferred without mutual consent. Additionally, he strongly opposed outsourcing the operation and maintenance of substations and powerhouses.

Other union leaders echoed these concerns, warning that if the government continued to ignore their demands, employees would be forced to escalate their agitation. After the Maha Panchayat, protestors marched towards the Mini Secretariat, raising slogans in support of their demands.

The protest saw participation from various associated unions, including those representing Linemen and Junior Engineers, signaling widespread discontent among board employees.