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PDD, PDC re-organisation: Embittered employees call for 3-day strike

MAJID NABI. Dated: 9/21/2019 3:47:35 PM

SRINAGAR, Sep 20: Employees of Power Development Department (PDD) are set to begin three day strike in Srinagar and Jammu offices from 24th to 26th September as a mark of protest against government’s decision to re-organize (unbundle) PDD and Power Development Corporation (PDC), tender notice of which was issued on August 8 last.
Lamenting government’s decision, PDD Employees Coordination Committee said the move was taken without taking employees on board. They said the decision to unbundle PDD and PDC is unacceptable to employees and asked the government to revoke its decision before the situation turns volatile.
Perturbed by the decision, the employees said the government’s hasty decision will in no way prove beneficial for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“We held series of meetings with the government representatives in this regard in the past and we were assured that no decision will be taken without taking employees in confidence. We will fight unbundling of PDD and PDC tooth and nail,” said the agitating employees.
They warned the government to refrain from implementing any such decision which has tremendous potential to push the employees into a confrontationist mode.
The employees said that strike will be held across Jammu and Kashmir from September 24 to 26 against government’s decision.
“We held a meeting at PDD head office today in which representatives of both Jammu and Kashmir provinces participated. A unanimous decision was taken that employees will not allow the government to implement decision of unbundling. Hence a token strike will be observed across Jammu from next week,” they added.
Government is all set to ‘reorganise’ J&K Power Development Department (PDD) and J&K State Power Development Corporation Limited (JKPDC) in compliance with Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act 2019 before October 31 when the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Union Territory of Ladakh would be formally established.
The Act lays thrust on apportionment of the assets and liabilities of the existing State of J&K immediately before the appointed day between the successor Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and successor Union Territory of Ladakh.
Article 85 of the Reorganization Act read: “The Central Government may by order, establish one or more Advisory Committees within a period of 90 days from the appointed day for the purposes of apportionment of assets, rights and liabilities of the companies and corporations constituted for the existing State of Jammu and Kashmir between Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Union Territory of Ladakh; issues relating to continuance of arrangements in regard to generation and supply of electric power and supply of water etc.
In compliance to these provisions of the Reorganization Act, the Governor’s Administration has set into motion an exercise to appoint a consultant to assist in reorganizing the Power Development Department and Power Development Corporation.
Centre has also issued notice inviting e-tenders (E-NIT) on August 8 for consultancy services for the assignment of Reorganization of J&K Power Development Department (JKPDD) and State Power Development Corporation Limited (JKPDC).
In this regard the commercial aspects related to the power purchases, communication and testing have been assigned to Jammu and Kashmir State Power Trading Company Limited (PSU).
The government of Jammu and Kashmir in compliance with Jammu and Kashmir Re-organization Act 2019 intends to appoint a consultant to assist in re-organizing the departments.