Assam State Electricity Supply Workers’ Union (ASESWU) stage protests at Bijulee Bhawan

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Assam State Electricity Supply Workers’ Union (ASESWU) staged a sit-in protest at Bijulee Bhawan on Wednesday, demanding regularization of contractual power workers. They also demanded the cancellation of the NPS (National Pension System) and the introduction of the OPS (Old Pension Scheme).

Their demands also include that the workers in their probationary periods be paid a full stipend while ensuring security and time-bound promotion. The union also demanded the discontinuation of the outsourcing of the employees at the 33/11 KV power sub-centres.

The union’s general secretary, Dhrubajyoti Sarma, said that on December 15, 2022, similar protests were staged with these demands, but till today no steps have been taken and no guidelines have been provided by the authorities to regularize the contractual workers’ posts. In contrast to this, the installation of digital smart meters has left some power workers jobless.

Further, the outsourcing of workers at the 33/11 KV power sub-centres is due to a shortage of manpower and to cut costs. So he has urged the government to discontinue outsourcing of employees and alleged that such a step is taken to privatize the power sector. Further, he said, Grade III and Grade IV employees who are eligible for promotion with the required criteria should be promoted. The department said they promised to implement the time-bound promotion for the workers, but till now they have not implemented it. So, workers are facing discrimination in terms of promotion and payment of their regular dues.

The union has asked to fulfil all of their demands and has submitted a memorandum to the chairmen of APDCL (Assam Power Distribution Company Limited), AEGCL (Assam Electricity Grid Corporation Limited), and APGCL (Assam Power Generation Corporation Limited).

Also Read: Assam Electricity Consumers’ Association (AAECA) suspect possible hacking of smart meters

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