Chandigarh: The PSEB Engineers' Association has alleged irregularities in the selection process for the Director Generation post at Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) and sought chief minister
Bhagwant Mann's intervention.
In a representation submitted in Patiala, the association alleged that recruitment rules were amended to favour specific candidates linked to the power minister. It claimed power minister Sanjeev Arora and PSPCL CMD Basant Garg conducted interviews of seven shortlisted candidates at the minister's Udyog Bhavan office on May 8.
The association termed the process "unauthorised", stating that the selection committee for the post should comprise the Punjab chief secretary, power secretary and chairperson of the Power Finance Corporation. It alleged that the minister's involvement amounted to "undue influence" in the selection process.
The Director Generation post has remained vacant since November 4, 2025, after Harjit Singh was removed over alleged fuel cost mismanagement. The association alleged that despite the vacancy, the govt delayed advertising the post for months as some "favoured" candidates were initially ineligible under existing norms.
According to the association, the govt amended the eligibility criteria through a notification issued on March 30, immediately after a Cabinet meeting, and advertised the post the same day. The application deadline was April 30, with 25 candidates applying and seven being shortlisted.
The engineers alleged that only one of the seven shortlisted candidates had a background in generation despite the technical nature of the post.
The association also alleged that the amendments violated the 2010 Tripartite Agreement, which mandates consultation with stakeholders before changing qualifications for top power sector posts. It further objected to the revised rules allowing IAS officers to become PSPCL CMD, a post earlier reserved for technical experts.
Demanding that the selection process be halted and the amended qualifications withdrawn, the association warned that such changes could affect the functioning of the power sector ahead of the paddy season.
PSPCL CMD Basant Garg could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.
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Bharat Khanna is a Principal correspondent with The Times of Indi...
Read MoreBharat Khanna is a Principal correspondent with The Times of India. A journalist for 15 years, he covers Patiala and neighbouring districts and writes on power sector, pollution, environment, politics, contemporary trends, crime, farmer issues, and issues of Punjab.
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