Chandigarh’s electricity has now become private. The responsibility of electricity distribution has come in the hands of Eminent Electricity. The share purchase agreement between Chandigarh Administration, EEDL and Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited has been completed.
At the same time, 160 government employees took VRS together in protest against privatization. Employees called from Punjab-Haryana to handle the situation also refused to come. Fire tenders have been deployed near power sub-stations in view of security.
A share purchase agreement was signed on Friday between Chandigarh Administration, Eminent Electricity Distribution Limited (EEDL) and Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited. RP-Sanjiv Goenka (RP-SG) Group has officially taken over the electricity department of the UT through its subsidiary EEDL. Now from Saturday, 860 employees of the electricity department have become employees of the private company, while 160 employees have taken VRS in protest. This includes employees of many categories including linemen, JEs.
The administration has retained 68 employees, of which 22 are disabled. The properties to be transferred include 16 sub-division offices, four division offices, one circle office and one control room. After taking over the department, the company will issue electricity bills and manage all helpline numbers. The administration said that EEDL has invested Rs 871 crore, much more than the reserve price, while ensuring security of employee service conditions and pension. Let us tell you that the administration has given the entire land of the department on lease for Rs 1 lakh.
The company is setting up a helpline center in Sector-34
Eminent Electricity has been looking after the work of the electricity department for the last several months and was making its preparations. They visited all the sub-division offices. They also visited the helpline center and talked to the employees. The company will now issue new helpline numbers for electricity complaints. An office is also being built in Sector-34. Apart from this, an online complaint redressal system will also be launched. However, it remains doubtful what will happen to the outsourced employees currently working at the helpline centers, whether they will be shifted to another place or not.
Announcement of giving one month’s salary bonus
The UT Powerman Union on Friday withdrew the strike after talks between union leaders, private company representatives and the Chandigarh administration. During the meeting, the company agreed to several service conditions proposed by the union. The official Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is expected to be signed in the next three to four days. Apart from this, the company has announced a one-month salary bonus for the employees.
Bought the department from Eminent, beating seven companies
Eminent Electricity Distribution Limited had bid Rs 871 crore to buy the electricity department, which was given final approval by the Union Cabinet in May 2022. The administration started the process of privatization five years ago. A total of seven companies were in the race to buy the department. Apart from Eminent, these included Adani Transmission Limited, Tata Power, Torrent Power, Sterlite Power, Renew Wind Energy and NTPC Electric Supply Company Limited.
Naujwan Kisan Ekta protested, police took them into custody
Naujwan Kisan Ekta had been protesting daily for the past one month against the privatization of the electricity department. On Friday, a march from Kisan Bhawan to Sector-17 was announced. Kirpal Singh, head of Naujwan Kisan Ekta, said that all the protesters were taken into custody by the police and taken to Sector-34 police station. He said that the decision of privatization is wrong. The protest against it will continue.
What will happen after privatization
1. What will change after privatization
Everything will remain the same as before. Those who are government employees have become employees of the private company. People will continue to get electricity as before. There will be no increase in prices either. Helpline numbers will also remain the same as before. The company is building its customer care center in Sector-34. An app will also be launched for people to pay their bills.
2. Will there be any change in the salary and allowances of the employees?
No, salary and allowances like DA, HRA, TA, vehicle-uniform allowance will remain the same as before. Retirement age will also remain the same. Pension and other benefits will also continue as before. For this, the government has established Chandigarh Electricity Employees Master Trust with Rs 433.62 crore, whose president will be the Power Secretary.
3. Will the electricity prices not increase?
No, the company will not be able to increase the electricity prices on its own. Like before, the company will have to file a petition to the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) and JERC will decide whether the electricity prices will increase or not.
4. How will promotion, salary hike and leave be?
Employees will get bonus and other incentives based on annual performance review. The company says that promotion opportunities will increase because they will be given opportunities based on their performance. The leave policy will also remain the same as before.
5. Will employees be transferred to other places
According to the rules, employees will not be transferred to other states without their consent. Nor will their working hours be increased. However, there may be some changes in the nature of work. Compassionate appointments will also continue as before. The union will also remain as before.
6. What will the employee do if he faces any problem
For this, CEO office, HR head, IT head will be appointed for issues related to policies and decisions. Also, an employee concern special committee will be formed. It will include senior officers and employee representatives.
