Power Department engineers to observe strike on Dec 30 over persistent HR issues

Srinagar, Dec 4: Engineers from the Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Department (JKPDD) have announced a comprehensive one-day strike scheduled for December 30, highlighting a series of unresolved human resource challenges that have accumulated over the years.

According to the statement, the Jammu and Kashmir Electrical Engineers Graduate Association (JKEEGA), representing engineers across the Union Territory, made this decisive move following an emergency meeting of its apex body, the Guidance Council. The strike is a strategic response to years of governmental neglect and systemic issues within the department.

JKEEGA President Er. Pirzada Hidayatulla and General Secretary Er. Sachin Tickoo delivered a pointed critique of successive governments, detailing multiple critical concerns that have pushed engineers to this point of protest.

Further, it was briefed that the administrative department of JKPDD has failed to implement SAC order of 2019 which had ordered the Regularization of all Power engineers to be completed in 2 months back then. Further last Established Cum Selection Committee meeting was held on 27-02-2024 and the matter of regularization of engineers of JKPDD was returned to JKPDD with some queries.

The seriousness of HRM of JKPDD to resolve issues of power engineers of JKPDD can be gauged from the fact that nine months have passed since last establishment committee meeting and no progress apart from false promises to put the file before the establishment committee has been made. The outcome of of non-regularization is that the present Chief Engineer & SE’s are drawing the salary of JEs & AE’s which does not auger well, the statement said

Most significantly, the association has emphasised the alarming salary disparities within the department. Senior engineers are currently drawing salaries equivalent to Junior Engineers, a situation they argue demonstrates profound governmental apathy towards skilled professionals who play a pivotal role in the power sector's infrastructure and reform.

To escalate their demands, JKEEGA has issued a stringent 26-day ultimatum to the government. They are demanding the immediate issuance of regularization orders for both in-service and retired engineers by December 30. The potential consequences of non-compliance include a comprehensive state-wide protest, potentially supported by the All India Power Engineers Federation.

The full spectrum of their demands includes: Immediate regularization orders for in-service and retired engineers, prompt promotion orders from Executive Engineer to Superintending Engineer, streamlining salary disbursement through the PaySys system and establishment of a dedicated enforcement wing for the department.

As part of their strategic communication plan, JKEEGA has scheduled a press conference on December 11 and will release daily press notes from December 9 to December 28. Despite their mounting frustration, the engineers have consistently emphasized their commitment to conducting the protest within democratic boundaries.

The association's statement powerfully articulates their perspective: "Despite playing a pivotal role in reforming the power sector, engineers are being alienated and degraded. Senior engineers are drawing salaries equivalent to Junior Engineers, reflecting the government's apathy."

They further highlighted that engineers have been left "reeling under darkness" despite their dedicated efforts to ensure consistent power supply across the Union Territory.

As December 30 approaches, the potential disruption in power sector operations looms large, with all attention focused on how the government will respond to these substantive and urgent demands from its electrical engineers.