UT powermen to strike work on April 25

CHANDIGARH: UT Powermen Union will observe a day-long strike on April 25 to press their long pending demands.
A delegation led by the union’s general secretary Gopal Datt Joshi submitted a memorandum to UT home secretary Anurag Agarwal. “There is an acute shortage of staff in the division and sub-division offices and it affects the functioning of the department,” said Joshi.
The electricity department is facing shortage of staff, specially field staff.For the past several years, the union has been pressing the administration for filling the vacant posts in the department.
As per official figures, the power department is operating with just 1,000 employees against the sanctioned strength of 1,780. A total of 158 linemen are working in place of 253 and 286 assistant linemen against the sanctioned strength of 625.
The staff shortage has affected the department’s functioning. The field staff is unable to restore power supply in time in case of a breakdown. The southern sectors -- 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 47, 48 and 49 – are the worst affected during peak summer.
Talking to TOI, Joshi accused the administration of sitting on promotion of employees. “A large number of employees have not been promoted since 20 years,” said Joshi. He further accused the power department of not removing the pay anomalies and not amending service rules.
The union has also been criticising the department for not providing the field staff with essential tools and safety devices.
FACTFILE
Power consumers | 2.15 lakh
Domestic users | 1.75 lakh
Sanctioned staff strength | 1,780
Actual staff strength | 1,000