Punjab govt revokes show-cause notice to chief engineer after protests by PSPCL staff

Following protest and resentment shown by the power engineers, the Punjab government today revoked the show-cause issued to a woman chief engineer.

The issue of show-cause notice by the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) to Harmohan Kaur, chief engineer, Aggregate Revenue Requirement (ARR) and Tariff Regulation, over allegations of misconduct after she proceeded on leave during a crucial period for the corporation, raised tempers. Known for her grasp over power matters pending in courts, she was given seven days to respond to the November 13 notice, failing which departmental proceedings would be initiated against her.

On Wednesday morning, the engineers lobby, led by PSEB Engineers Association and other PSPCL officials reached the office of the Director (Finance) and pointed out that “the show-cause notice issued to the chief engineer was not in accordance with the rules”. The management initially showed reluctance to withdraw the order, prompting the engineers to stage a ‘dharna’ inside his office.

The notice had added fuel to the fire as the engineers’ lobby was already upset with the Punjab government over some recent decisions pertaining to removal of Director (generation) citing ‘serious misconduct’ in fuel cost management and the government decision to sell PSPCL properties across Punjab.

Sources say that by late afternoon the orders were withdrawn by the top brass of PSPCL and the CMD withdrew the notice issued earlier to her on November 13.

The fresh orders issued on Tuesday read: “the show-cause notice issued to Harmohan Kaur has been revoked on administrative reasons following orders by the CMD PSPCL”. The show-cause notice had drawn sharp criticism from the PSEB Engineers’ Association, who termed the notice as “unjustified” and without logic.

Ajay Pal Singh Atwal, secretary PSEBA, said in case the chief engineer was on leave, other officers in the department could have handled the court proceedings. “Such actions only demotivate the other officers in the PSPCL,” he added. The association also condemned the recent removal of PSPCL director (generation) Harjit Singh and expressed serious concern over what it described as a pattern of “unfair and non-transparent actions” against senior power department officers.