Consider rationalisation of staff in power dept, says CM

PSPCL ASKED TO ENSURE EIGHT HOURS OF POWER SUPPLY TO PADDY FARMERS

CHANDIGARH: Chief minister (CM) Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday asked additional chief secretary, power, Anurag Aggarwal to examine the model of school education department for rationalisation of excessive staff posted in certain parts of the state.

Reviewing the functioning of the power department, the CM directed Aggarwal to implement a viable rationalisation policy to judiciously deploy its staff as per requirement on the pattern of separate cadre created for teachers working in border areas. Likewise, the CM also asked him to work out modalities for making zone-wise fresh recruitment for proper utilisation of manpower in PSPCL.

Showing concern over huge pendency of electricity bills worth Rs 2,142 crore outstanding towards various departments, Amarinder directed the principal secretary, finance, to enhance the budgetary allocation of the departments concerned so as to enable them to make prompt payment in this regard.

PSPCL CMD A Venu Prasad was also asked to ensure eighthour interrupted power supply to farmers during the paddy sowing season. At the same time, he said domestic power supply should also not be affected in view of the summer season.

Prasad informed the CM that the Centre has given concurrence to the PSPCL to go ahead for cancellation of high-cost PPAs with NTPC and NHPC. He also briefed about the important initiatives such as construction of new 66KV sub-stations and promotion of digital payments, among others.