Entity of the HPSEB to be upheld: Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal

Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, assured the employees of Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (HPSEB) that the State Government would put its efforts to uphold the entity of the Board and take effective steps to implement the Electricity Act, 2003 in next six months. He was addressing 7th General Conference of the HPSEB Ministerial Employees Association here today.

Chief Minister said that the unbundling of the HPSEB under the provisions of Electricity Act, 2003, was inevitable and the State Government had carried exhaustive exercise to protect the interests of employees of the Board before issuing the notification. He said that the salary, allowances and pensionary benefits of the Board employees would not be affected in any manner and they will get all service benefits as being given at present. He said that all out efforts would be made not to permit privatisation of the Board and instead take effective steps to improve its functioning by bringing about efficiency in delivering services to the consumers, minimise transmission and distribution losses. He said that the Board had been recognised as role model in the entire country and endeavour will be now to achieve new heights in future also. He said that credit for this goes to the employees of the Board. He appealed them to deliver best of their services in the larger interest of the Board and the State so that their interests remain protected in all respects.

Prof. Dhumal said that the Board had done commendable job in bringing it to the present state which had delayed the unbundling process by six years after the passing of the Electricity Act, 2003, by the Parliament in year 2003. He said that this was due to the best performance of the Board that implementation of the Act was got extended for six years. He said that the Board would carry on with its regular operational and functional activities. He said that the State Government had always maintained cordial relations with its employees and given them benefits at its own.

Chief Minister gave clarion call to the employees of the Board to prove their mettle by putting best efforts. He said that there was need to inculcate work culture at all level of official functioning, carry self-introspection with regard to the work done and maintain self-discipline. He said that these were the basic ingredients for the success of any organisation. He complimented the Board employees for successfull launch of the ambitious Atal Bijli Bachat Yojna, delivering four CFL bulbs to each of the domestic consumer free of cost. He said that the impact was gradually becoming visible. He said that the power saved under the programme would be surplus and could be supplied to the needy states and generate revenue to the Board. He said that motive behind constitution of Boards and Corporation was to make such organisations self reliant, profit earning and commercially governed. He said that the State Government would be continuing with the power reforms in future as well so that maximum power was saved without causing any inconvenience to the consumers in the State.

Prof. Dhumal directed the Board Management to take effective steps for filling up of vacant posts and promotion of the employees. He said that effective steps would also be taken to decide the compassionate appointment cases on merit and regularise the services of work charged workers in a phased manner. He said that 1503 employees of different categories had been promoted in the Board since April, 2008 out of which 422 were ministerial employees. He also released souvenir of the Association.

Shri R.K.Jain, Chairman of the Board, informed the Chief Minister that the transmission and distribution losses had been reduced from 15 percent in year 2007-08 to 13.52 percent during previous year and aims at bringing down the same to single digit by the end of current financial year. He said that upto one MW power was available on demand.

Shri Sunil Grover, Superintending Engineer, apprised the audience of the provisions of the Electricity Act, 2003 and appreciated the stand of the State Government with regard to unbundling of the Board.

Shri Dev Raj Sharma, President of the Technical Employees Union of HPSEB and Shri Lekh Raj Parmar, President, HPSEB Ministerial Employees Association, welcomed the Chief Minister.Shri Suresh Bhardwaj, Shri Virender Kanwar, Shri Sukh Ram Chaudhary, all MLAs and Members and senior officers of the Board were present on the occasion among others.

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By :  News Team