JKEEGA urges CM to resolve issues of PDD engineers

Srinagar, Oct 31: The Jammu and Kashmir Electrical Engineering Association (JKEEGA) has urged the Chief Minister to intervene and issue instructions to the concerned authorities noting that the engineering cadre of the Power Development Department (JKPDD) is deeply perturbed by the continued neglect at all levels.

In a statement JKEEGA referred to the delays in resolving HR issues for power engineers following the unbundling of the department into various corporations in 2019. The association appealed to the Chief Minister to intervene and issue instructions to the concerned authorities, as the engineering cadre of the Power Development Department (JKPDD) is deeply “perturbed by the continued neglect at all levels of administration regarding their future prospects, particularly post-unbundling in 2019.”

Providing details, Er Pirzada Hidayatulla, President of JKEEGA, stated that the regularisation of power engineers, which was pending in other departments, was taken up with the administration. Following the unbundling of the department, the then State Administrative Council of J&K approved the regularisation proposal for Power Engineers on October 22, 2019. “They directed that the proposal for regular promotion in the engineering cadre of JKPDD be processed for consideration by the competent authority in the government through the Establishment-cum-Selection Committee, without reference to the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission, as a one-time exception.”

“The SAC further directed that the process be completed by November 30, 2019. However, despite the lapse of five years, the decision has yet to be implemented.”

It said that due to ongoing delays in regularisation, JKEEGA approached the LG and instructions to complete the regularisation of power engineers in a timely manner were issued by the LG’s Office along with instructions to submit an action taken report. “However, no progress has been made by the administrative department of JKPDD, except for one proposal that has been awaiting the settlement of queries raised by the Establishment Committee since February 2024. Power engineers feel insecure and frustrated, especially since other departments like PWD, I&FC, and MED have completed their regularization processes, while the ineffective HRM section of JKPDD continues to hinder their progress.”

“The ongoing concerns for Power Engineers were compounded by the suspension of 12 engineers from the Power Development Department on deputation to JPDCL/KPDCL in March 2024. The matter of revoking these unjustified suspensions has been addressed at various levels. After consistent follow-up, including issuing charge sheets and filing responses by the suspended engineers, revocation orders for non-gazetted engineers were issued. However, revocation orders for gazetted engineers have yet to be issued.”