During the meeting, the representatives of the employees unions had expressed their apprehensions and concerns regarding the proposal to unbundle the power department.
Srinagar, September 27:
After massive outcry over a “proposal” that would eventually lead to privatization of power distribution in Jammu and Kashmir, the government has virtually shelved the plan and assured that it won’t go for unbundling of the transmission and distribution sectors “at present.”
The decision comes days after employees’ unions in the power department announced that they will go for an indefinite strike over the issue. The Kashmir Economic Alliance, an umbrella organisation of various business bodies in the state, had also threatened to launch a stir against what they called the “anti-state move.”
“…The unbundling process was limited to creation of trading company only and the government is not going for unbundling of transmission and distribution sections ‘at present’,” read the minutes of the meeting, chaired by commissioner/secretary Power, and attended by representatives of different employees’ unions of the power development department. “The question of privatisation doesn’t arise.”
During the meeting, the representatives of the employees unions had expressed their apprehensions and concerns regarding the proposal to unbundle the power department.
According to the minutes, the commissioner/secretary assured that in case the government proposes to go for unbundling of the transmission and distribution sectors, all the stakeholders would be taken on board first.
“All the issues shall be discussed with them before giving a final shape to such a proposal,” the minutes read.
On September 22, Greater Kashmir carried a story about the government’s move to unbundle the power sector under a ‘reforms program’ proposed six years ago. To begin with, the government had decided to make the state’s power trade company (Tradeco) functional.
While the government of India has allocated funds worth crores of rupees over the years to the state government to bring down the transmission and distribution losses, there has been no significant improvement on ground.
The meeting also assured the employees that their rights would be fully protected and they would continue to be governed by J&K Service Rules and would be on deputation to Tradeco, which would be restricted to 100 employees at present.
Courtesy: Greater Kashmir
