*Adhocism galore in PDD Sector of J&K UT
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Apr 13: A total adhocism prevailed in the Power Development Department (PDD) and its newly formed Corporations, as its 15 Divisions and 103 Sub Divisions are lying headless for the last many months while eight posts of Executive Directors and Chief Engineers and at least 11 posts of Circle Superintending Engineers (SEs) are vacant in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The startling revelations made by some key officials of the Department, have totally exposed the tall claims of the UT Government with regard to `so called’ major reforms in the Power sector taken after creation of UTs of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. While some steps taken towards up-gradation of power infrastructure were visible in some areas of the J&K, the measures to strengthen ground network and enhance manpower for effective delivery of service to the public, are yet to be taken.
Official sources said that after the proposed move of the Government for privatization of Power sector and post abrogation of Art 370 decision, the process of promotions and creation of new posts , filling up of vacant posts of engineers and of other cadre in the Power sector has also almost stalled. Many officers / engineers were retired during past 2-3 years but most of the posts remained vacant or additional charge was given to the other officers just to run the show. Even in some cases, an AEE is handling three charges while at some posts of AEEs, I/C AEs are working.
Sources further said that due to the attitude of neglect on the part of UT administration, the Power sector presently has been left to move on crutches. Though smart electric meters have been installed in more than 50 percent areas of major cities in J&K, yet the people are deprived of the promised (24×7) power supply. Hardly few days ago, three hours curtailment has been imposed in the major Industrial areas to meet shortfall. They revealed that even the major Unions of the Engineers and Technicians approached top officers of the PDD including Principal Secretary Power J&K UT and sought time to discuss urgent issues for resolution but were not provided on opportunity.
The figures compiled from the Power Development Department revealed that presently, four posts of Executive Directors (EDs) and four posts of Chief Engineers or equivalent, were lying vacant in JPDCL, KPDCL, JKPTC and JKSPDC and JKPTCL Jammu, JKPTCL Kashmir, CE PEP Kashmir and Jammu, respectively. Some officers have been accorded additional charge.
Similarly, 11 posts of Superintending Engineers (SEs) are lying vacant in various PDD Circles across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, thus, badly affecting the smooth work in the Department. Not only this, at least 15 PDD Divisions, out of the total 124 in J&K UT, are lying headless while in some cases, additional charge has been given to the other officers just to run the show. Some Divisions are far away and the officers assigned the additional charges, are not able to do justice with their job and give proper time to the officials work there.
It is perhaps the biggest mockery of the system prevailing here in UT as out of the total 493 PDD Sub Divisions in J&K, 103 are lying headless for the last many months. Out of these Sub Divisions, 31 are lying vacant in JPDCL in Jammu region, 40 in KPDCL in Kashmir province while 32 in JKPTCL, depicting the true picture and the height of adhocism in the PDD sector in J&K UT.
Apart from this, a total 205 posts of Assistant Engineers (AEs) and around 150 posts of Junior Engineers are lying vacant here. There is total stagnation in the department. The promotions process has been stalled for the last few years while no initiative is being taken up to fill up vacant posts. The routine files of the department with regard to employees welfare and elevation, are licking dust in the cupboards of the top officers at the helm of affairs, the sources added.
Managing Director JKPDCL, Anant Tayal when contacted and regarding initiative taken to fill up vacant posts and provide adequate manpower at stations, said that he has written to the higher authorities in this regard. He said there is no doubt that infrastructure has increased during past few years and it needs additional manpower. For this, the process has been started to provide manpower. With regard to promotions at various levels, Tayal said it is done at the higher level and the process was in progress.
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