The state government on Tuesday constituted a special committee to look into the grievances of the protesting power sector employees, after which they withdrew their decision to boycott emergency services ahead of Diwali.
The government decision will affect employees of all three wings within the power sector – the Uttarakhand Power Corporation Ltd (UPCL) or the state-run power distribution utility, the Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd (UJVNL) that manages hydropower generation in the state and the Power Transmission Corporation of Uttarakhand Ltd (PTCUL) or the power transmission utility of the state.
The employees had been protesting to seek removal of irregularities in salary and assured career progression under recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission as promised to them by the state Cabinet.
“A committee has been formed to resolve the grievances of the employees. It will submit a report of its recommendations in a month’s time, which will then be sent to the finance department for vetting...all their (employees’) problems will be duly looked into,” energy secretary Radhika Jha said. Administrative heads of all the three wings of the power sector as well as representatives of the protesting employee unions were present during the meeting.
On Monday, the protesting employees had even boycotted a meeting that had been called by the energy secretary to discuss their grievances. Following that, the power department on Monday reminded the employees that the Essential Services Maintenance Act (Esma) — which prohibits the employees of the related services from going on strike – had been enforced on the state’s power sector for six months in June this year and that it was still applicable on them. The Esma seeks to ensure “delivery of certain services, which if obstructed would affect the normal life of people”.
{{/usCountry}}On Monday, the protesting employees had even boycotted a meeting that had been called by the energy secretary to discuss their grievances. Following that, the power department on Monday reminded the employees that the Essential Services Maintenance Act (Esma) — which prohibits the employees of the related services from going on strike – had been enforced on the state’s power sector for six months in June this year and that it was still applicable on them. The Esma seeks to ensure “delivery of certain services, which if obstructed would affect the normal life of people”.
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