KPDCL defunct, not working for welfare of employees: JKEEU

PDD employees addressing press conference in Srinagar. - Excelsior/Shakeel
PDD employees addressing press conference in Srinagar. - Excelsior/Shakeel

Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Sept 16: The J&K Electrical Employees Union (JKEEU) today said the entire system of the KPDCL stands paralyzed while the employees working day and night are suffering due to mismanagement within the department.
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Addressing a press conference here, Mushtaq Najar who heads the JKEEU said that they are the backbone of the department and despite that, they are waiting for their promotion for the last several years despite 47% of vacancies available.
“In 2019 the department was unbundled and since then there is uncertainty everywhere. The sanctioned strength of KPDCL is over 10000, over 5000 remain occupied while there are nearly 47% vacancies,” he said, adding up to the JE level, till date there has not been any promotion.
The Union said that the authorities are claiming to carry out reforms while on the other hand, they said that the employees are suffering. “The people who are talking of bringing in reforms are not addressing the basic issues because PDD needs manpower to work efficiently.”
It was also given out during the press briefing that the casual workers too are suffering and for their rehabilitation, nothing has been done. “We state that the department has frozen. Even the amnesty that was announced, is a good step, but for that too, they need the necessary manpower,” he said.
The employees also raised the issue of the Welfare Fund not being put in use for the welfare of the employees who died on duty. “We have been making deposits to the welfare funds for the last several years, but those who have died have got nothing in the name of welfare. Because the system is defunct.”
The employees demanded filling up the vacant posts of Non-Gazetted cadre by way of DPC on a fast track basis as per vacancy. They also demanded that the Posts of Tech-III and Meter Reader should be reserved for the Junior Lineman and Lineman 2nd respectively who have passed the Matriculation Examination from JKBOSE and have a minimum of 5 years of regular service.
They also said that the qualification bars & departmental examination opportunities may also be incorporated in the draft rule for the in-service incumbents on the same analogy as clerical cadre posts.
“For the welfare of employees, HR policies and staff norms may also be incorporated in the draft rule apart from the policy for regularization of TDL / PDL, casual labors,” the Union demanded while threatening to go on a strike if their issues are not addressed.