J&K power employees threaten strike from Aug 13 against suspension, withholding of salaries

Jammu, Aug 11: J&K power employees will go on strike from August 13 against the suspension of PDD engineers and employees by MD JPDCL without inquiries and withholding of salaries for alleged inaction against the habitual offenders in terms of power theft and execution of Surya Ghar scheme. J&K Power Employees and Engineers Coordination Committee (JKPEECC) convener Sachin Tickoo, in a press conference at Jammu while giving an ultimatum of 48-hours to Managing Director JPDCL, announced that the strike would continue till the revocation of order related to suspension and withholding of salaries. Tickoo, who is also the president of JKEEGA, stated, “Yesterday Power Employees and Engineers Coordination Committee tried to meet Managing Director (MD) JPDCL to raise this issue. We conveyed that it was an arbitrary move to suspend engineers and other employees, without any inquiry and giving them an opportunity to present their case.” He stated, “Despite the fact that stringent measures, including disconnection of power supply, have been taken against habitual offenders of power theft and applications have been sent to SSPs and SHOs for registration of FIRs. But no concrete action has been taken in case of those FIRs against the habitual offenders since 2024. Ironically, action is being taken against the employees and engineers. They are being suspended.” Tickoo alleged that the salaries of PDD employees were being withheld for not making Solar (Surya) Ghar scheme a success in Dharmari, Reasi, Pouni, Rajouri, Poonch, Kotranka, Ramban and Banihal. “Committee members asked the MD JPDCL to revoke suspension orders within 48 hours, otherwise all J&K Power employees will go on strike from August 13,” Tickoo said. He alleged that MD JPDCL concealed information from the administrative department about the action taken by PDD employees and engineers. “The suspensions were made although their (employees’) superior officers, including Chief Engineer did not indict them. 25000 smart meters are damaged. Has any action been taken on that account? MD JPDCL, on moral ground, should resign for not taking any action against the (smart meter) agencies,” Tickoo demanded.