After backlash, PSPCL withdraws notice issued to woman Chief Engineer

After facing backlash from the power engineers, the state government on Tuesday revoked a show-cause notice issued to Harmohan Kaur, Chief Engineer of the Aggregate Revenue Requirement (ARR) and Tariff Regulation.

On November 13, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) had issued a show-cause notice to her over allegations of misconduct after she proceeded on a leave during critical period.

Known for her grasp over power matters pending in the courts, she was given seven days to respond to the notice, failing which departmental proceedings would have been initiated against her.

Today, members of the PSEB Engineers’ Association reached the office of the Director (Finance) and pointed out that “the show-cause notice issued to Kaur 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 government over removal of Director (Generation) citing “serious misconduct” in fuel cost management and the decision to sell PSPCL’s properties across Punjab.

Sources said by late afternoon, the orders were withdrawn by the top brass of the PSPCL and the CMD withdrew the notice.

The fresh orders issued on Tuesday read: “The show-cause notice issued to Harmohan Kaur has been revoked on administrative reasons following orders by the CMD, PSPCL.”

Ajay Pal Singh Atwal, secretary of the 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 officers,” 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 officers of the power utility.