Based on reports received from All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF)
The privatization of power distribution carried out in Odisha nearly five years back is touted as a successful model of privatization which should be followed by other state-owned distribution companies. If the state government has to continue to provide financial assistance to the private company, calling it a successful model of privatization is misleading the public. The Odisha experience proves that privatization can never be in the interest of people.
At the Annual Convention of the Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Ltd (OPTCL) Power Engineers’ Association held in Bhubaneswar on 10 April, several critical issues concerning the power sector and engineers were raised prominently before the management.
During his address, Shri Sahailendra Dubey, Chairman of All India Power Engineers Federation, strongly opposed the repeated projection of privatization as a “successful model” and expressed serious concern over attempts to turn Odisha into a testing ground for privatization experiments in the power sector which has miserably failed twice.
In June 2020, the operation of Odisha’s power distribution companies was transferred to Tata Power. Subsequently, over the past five years, the Odisha government provided Tata Power with financial assistance of approximately ₹7,200 crore, initially ₹5,400 crore and later ₹1,800 crore. Additionally, approximately ₹900 crore was provided for smart metering, while the government is also covering the power purchase subsidy. When Tata Power is reporting profits on its balance sheet and claiming a reduction in AT&C losses, why are there continued demands for tariff increases? If companies are profitable, consumers should benefit from the benefits, not impose additional financial burdens on them.
The Odisha experience proves that even after privatization, if the government has to provide financial assistance, such privatization provides no real benefit to either the government or the general public. Therefore, calling the Odisha privatization a successful model would be misleading.
A key issue discussed was cadre restructuring for Power Engineers in OPTCL. It was emphasized that since promotions are being handled at the corporation level, immediate restructuring is essential to create adequate opportunities for engineers to advance to higher positions. The demands for implementation of a proper time-scale system and wage revision were also forcefully raised. It was pointed out that power engineers in Odisha are receiving lower salaries even compared to their counterparts in the government sector, which is highly unfortunate and needs urgent correction.
Concerns were also expressed regarding recruitment practices, where engineers are being engaged under limited or restrictive terms. It was demanded that such engineers be regularized and granted due increments in a fair and transparent manner.
The issue of women’s empowerment was also highlighted, emphasizing the need for greater representation and support for women engineers in the sector.
During the convention, Er Tunilata Nayak was nominated as Member Executive AIPEF, representing the Eastern Region, marking an important step towards inclusive representation.
The convention witnessed enthusiastic participation from a large number of young engineers, including a significant presence of women engineers, which was highly encouraging.
The event concluded successfully with appreciation extended to all members of the outgoing executive committee team of Er Biplab Behera & Er Jogendra Jena for their dedicated service, and best wishes were conveyed to the newly elected office bearers team of Er Biplab Behera & Er Abanindra Mishra for their future responsibilities.
* Inquilab Zindabad.✊✊
* @ AIPEF
