PSEB Engineers’ Association extends support to protesting doctors over their genuine demands, writes to CM Mann
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, September 14, 2024: PSEB Engineers’ Association has extended support to the genuine demands of medical officers regarding time-bound scales, regular full-scale recruitment, and payment of DA/arrears and has urged the chief minister to resolve these legitimate issues at the earliest.
The Association has written a letter to Chief Minister Punjab Bhagwant Mann on Saturday stating that there has been a troubling trend where the valuable insights, recommendations and concerns of professionals are not being given due consideration in the decision-making processes, and their professional status is being compromised..
Ajay Pal Singh Atwal General Secretary said that even the long-time unresolved issues of engineers have further aggravated the situation for engineers and these have compounded the dissatisfaction within the cadre, making it increasingly difficult to retain and attract qualified professionals in the power sector.
"It sends a concerning message about the value placed on specialized knowledge and experience, which is discouraging highly talented individuals from contributing to public service and compromising the overall efficiency of State machinery," expressed Ajay Pal Singh Atwal.
"The denial of starting scales and the imposition of a three-year mandatory basic pay period has led to PSPCL's failure in meeting its recruitment targets for qualified engineers. Last year, only 60 engineers joined against 125 advertised posts and with only 19 engineers expected to join out of a target of 40 in the current year, this will leave a significant number of critical positions unfilled," he said.
"The denial of Time Bound Scales, non-payment of arrears, and failure to implement the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) have further aggravated the situation for engineers. These unresolved issues have compounded the dissatisfaction within the cadre making it increasingly difficult to retain and attract qualified professionals in the power sector," he further added.