Restore the number of contract workers as per the standards set in 2017
Statement of Vidyut Karmachari Sanyukt Sangharsh Samiti, Uttar Pradesh
(Translation of Hindi statement)
The central office bearers of Vidyut Karmachari Sanyukt Sangharsh Samiti, Uttar Pradesh, while welcoming the instructions given by the State Energy Minister, Shri Arvind Kumar Sharma, regarding not removing contract workers from service without any reason, have demanded from the Power Corporation management that about 25,000 contract workers who were removed during the last two and a half years in the name of preparation for privatization and so-called “manpower rationalization” should be immediately taken back into service.
The Sangharsh Samiti stated that according to an order issued in 2017, a provision for 36 contract workers was established at power substations in urban areas and 20 at substations in rural areas. Based on this standard, the state’s power system operated smoothly for years.
The Sangharsh Samiti stated that, contrary to these established standards, large-scale removal of contract workers began in October 2024. It is noteworthy that in November 2024, Power Corporation Chairman Dr. Ashish Goyal announced the privatization process for the Purvanchal Vidyut Vitaran Nigam and the Dakshinanchal Vidyut Vitaran Nigam. The Sangharsh Samiti alleges that shortly thereafter, reduction in the number of contract workers was started in preparation for privatization.
The Sangharsh Samiti said that the new tenders, bypassing the prescribed standards, are providing for only 18.5 contract workers instead of 36 in urban areas and only 12.5 workers instead of 20 in rural areas. In places where vertical restructuring has been carried out, including the capital Lucknow, the number of contract workers in urban areas has been reduced to 7.5. As a result, a large number of experienced contract workers, including many who had been contributing to the operation and maintenance of the power system for 20-25 years, have been dismissed from service. In the last two and a half years, the services of more than 25,000 contract workers have been terminated across the state.
The Sangharsh Samiti also said that the decision to compulsorily retire contract workers at the age of 55 is completely unjust and inhumane. Many contract workers who lost their limbs in accidents while maintaining the power system were also dismissed from service. The Sangharsh Samiti questioned that when the retirement age for top corporation officials and managing directors is 62, what is the justification for dismissing contract workers at the age of 55?
The Sangharsh Samiti stated that there has been no unusual increase in power supply disruptions and faults during the intense heat, but rather, the number of experienced contract workers who can immediately repair faults has been steadily reduced. As a result, consumers are facing the inconvenience of prolonged power outages, and the workload of power employees has increased unbearably.
The Sangharsh Samiti said that when the Energy Minister himself has given clear instructions that no employee should be removed from service without any reason, then after reviewing the tenders made against the standards set in 2017, all the removed contract employees should be immediately reinstated in service. Furthermore, the power system of the state should be strengthened by ensuring availability of necessary human resources in sub-stations and power distribution system.