Regularise electricity linemen before hiring new candidates: Union
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 04 2019:
All Manipur Quess Staff Union has denounced the attempt to appoint new candidates for the electricity Department, now known as Manipur State Power Distribution Company Limited (MSPDCL), without regularising the linemen who have enough experience, holds certificates for suitable training and have been working under the department for a long time.
Staging a sit in protest at Keishampat Power House gate today, the union has warned to launch different forms of agitation if the linemen are not regularised before hiring new employees while conveying that the union will hold sit in protests on March 5, 6 and 7 in front of the MSPDCL office.
Speaking to media persons at the sideline of the protest, general secretary of the union Konthoujam Swadeshkumar said that most of the linemen have been working under the department since 2014-15 while conveying that the linemen are facing immense grievances at present.
He lamented that the linemen do not want to be a part of/under the Quess company anymore.
Swadeshkumar maintained that the union had submitted repeated memorandums to the Chief Minister and the Power Minister to absorb the linemen directly to MSPDCL.
Lamenting that the company officials have been utilising the linemen till date, he demanded the State Government to consider the grievances of linemen (220 in numbers) and regularise them, as they hold credible certificate and are eligible enough for the job, before going on with its decision to hire new candidates.
He went on to state that the linemen are working with risks adding that there have been many accidents where many employees lost their lives and some severely injures as a result of electric shock and thus the employees should be regularised.
Swadeshkumar maintained that the authorities concerned have been notified repeatedly about the matter by submitting memorandums and many protest demonstrations have been organised seeking Government's attention, however, it is rather unfortunate that the Government is still ignoring the hardships/demands of the linemen.
There has been no concrete response from the MSPDCL as well, he added.
He further stated that the union thronged the Assembly on February 28 and submitted memorandums to the Speaker and to the Chief Minister at his office on the same day.
Lamenting that the no positive response has been given till date, he noted that the Government is for the people and should think about the welfare of the people.
He asserted that calling fresh candidates instead of the experienced linemen is violation of the rights of linemen while adding that the act raises suspicion if hiring new candidates is some political agenda.