Transco gag order on its staff works

HYDERABAD: The decision of the Transmission Corporation of Andhra Pradesh to bar its employees from taking part in the public hearings conducted by AP Electricity Regulatory Commission appears to be working with at least one section of Transco employees, deciding to keep away from the hearings on tariff proposals.
The public hearings by APERC on tariff proposals submitted by Transco and the power distribution companies (Discoms) will be held from February 19 to 25.
It may be recalled that Transco had asked the employees'' unions not to attend the hearings stating that anything they say may go against the interest of the company. Transco had also threatened any employee violating the directive, with disciplinary action.
APERC secretary T B Narasimha Rao told reporters here on Thursday that an employees organisation - the AP Electricity Employees Union - had made its submissions in writing but did not seek to make any oral presentation.
Asked if the regulator had any powers to allow all those who chose to speak at the hearings, ao said anyone who sought to present their case, will be allowed to do so.