Union to oppose corporatisation of Power Department
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 17, 2013: In a major blow to the State Government's plan for corporatisation of the Power Department, the Manipur Electricity Employees' Union has expressed its stance not to allow to proceed the proposal until the State generates adequate power.

The point was included in the 12-point charter of demands passed by the union in its 46th annual general body meeting held at Lamyanba Shanglen, Palace Compound today.

Among others, the demands also included regularisation of Work Charge and Master Roll employees and early initiation of promotion process for all posts.

Opposing the plan for Power Department corporatisation until the State generates adequate power, a general body meeting of the union would be convened if needed, the charter of demand mentioned.

INTUC Manipur Branch Working President MLA Z Kikhonbou Newmai and INTUC Manipur Branch President and MLA MK Preshow Shimray were the chief guest and functional president of the meeting.

YAS and Tourism Parliamentary Secretary M Prithviraj and Superintendent Engineer Circle No III (Power) M Jadumani were the guests of honour.

Speaking at the occasion, Z Kikhonbou Newmai said, 373 Work Charge and 39 Master Roll employees are being engaged in the Power Department.

He also expressed concern that due to constant accumulation of different problems, the Department is not likely to solve these problems for even five years.

Saying that the State Government is however generating ideas to extend needful assistance to the employees, Kikhonbou Newmai expressed hope that some changes are likely to witness soon.

He said that the employees and the State Government must put in joint effort to provide regular power supply to both hill and valley areas.

Saying that corporatisation/privatisation would not bring any harm to the employees, the MLA also urged not to worry with the State Government's plan of corporatisation.

M Prithviraj pointed out that there some misunderstandings between employees and the State Government on the issue of Work Charge and Master Roll employees.

As the present Government is a democratic Government, all the issues and misunderstandings could be resolved through dialogues.

Regarding corporatisation of the Department, Prithviraj observed that there are more positive points than negative aspects regarding the matter.

Preshow Shimray said that there are around 4500 Work Charge, Contract Basis and Master Roll employees in the engineering Departments of the State Government.

However, the issue could be resolved through joint meetings, he said.

Saying that service period for most of the employees in the Power Department are nearing retirement, the MLA said that there is need for recruitment of new employees.

Manipur Electricity Employees' Union Working President Y Rana Pratap said, Work Charge and Master Roll employees do not get the facilities of GPF and medical reimbursement.

Saying that these employees get the wage of Rs 4000 to Rs 5000 per month, he said that they do not even enjoy the pension facility if they are not in the service for 30 years.

Maintaining that the State Government did not even consulted the employees before the decision of corporatisation was taken, Rana Pratap said that the union condemns the decision.

M Prithviraj was appointed as the new president of the union.

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