Punjab News/Unemployed linemen’ agitation unethical and illogical: KD Chaudhary

Chandigarh, December 18, 2013: Terming the agitation of Unemployed Lineman Union, Punjab illogic and baseless, K.D. Chaudhary, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) today said that as per section 22 (1) of Apprentice Act, the institution imparting apprentice training, is not bound to provide employment to the concerned candidate. He said that the only purpose of apprentice training is to enable the candidate for getting employment and starting own private business.
He mentioned that Punjab State Power Corporation Limited has issued an advertisement no.CRA-267, dated November 1, 2010 for appointing 5,000 Linemen, under which those candidates were able to apply, who have completed two year apprentice training from PSPCL/PSTCL or Punjab State Electricity Board. He said that an industrial organisation has filed public interest litigation (PIL) in Punjab and Haryana High Court against the recruitment after which in November 2011, High Court has ordered PSPCL to appoint 1,000 linemen for 2 years under the interim management besides staying the appointment of 4,000 linemen till the final verdict of the petition. Chaudhary said that in the orders of High Court, issued on November 27, 2013, it has been asked that PSPCL and PSTCL could appoint 1000 lineman against CRA-267/11 and as per the report of Punjab State Regulatory Commission submitted before High Court on September 19, 2011 and PWC report. He said that PWC’s advisory report mentioned that (keeping the mind the retirements) PSPCL could appoint 2685 lineman from 2011 to 2015. The report reads that it would be appropriate for PSPCL to recruit 1000 lineman in 2011, 500 in 2012, 500 in 2013, 350 in 2014 and 350 in year 2015.
He further said that Punjab State Regulatory Commission used to curtail hundreds of crores from the annual revenue of Punjab State Electricity Board due to the surplus staff.// punjab news live, punjab news online, punjab news, punjab news headlines, punjab breaking news, india news, punjab news,