J&K Power Employees Announce Strike From August 13 Over Engineer Suspensions and Withheld Salaries
Jammu: Power employees and engineers across Jammu and Kashmir have announced an indefinite strike from August 13, protesting the suspension of Power Development Department (PDD) engineers and employees and the withholding of their salaries.
The decision was announced by the J&K Power Employees and Engineers Coordination Committee (JKPEECC) at a press conference in Jammu.
The committee has given a 48-hour ultimatum to the Managing Director of Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL), demanding the withdrawal of the suspension orders and restoration of withheld salaries.
Employees Demand Withdrawal of Suspension Orders
JKPEECC convener Sachin Tickoo, who is also president of the Jammu and Kashmir Electrical Engineers and Engineers Association (JKEEGA), said the employees’ representatives had attempted to meet the JPDCL Managing Director to raise their concerns.
Tickoo alleged that engineers and other employees were suspended without a departmental inquiry or an opportunity to explain their position.
“It was an arbitrary move to suspend engineers and other employees, without any inquiry and giving them an opportunity to present their case,” Tickoo said.
He said the committee had asked the JPDCL management to revoke the suspension orders within 48 hours.
“If the orders are not revoked, all J&K Power employees will go on strike from August 13,” he said.
Dispute Over Action Against Power Theft
The employees’ body also raised concerns about action against habitual power theft offenders.
Tickoo claimed that power supply had been disconnected in several cases and that applications had been submitted to SSPs and SHOs for registration of FIRs.
However, he alleged that no concrete action had been taken in some of these cases since 2024.
He questioned why employees were being suspended when, according to the committee, they had already taken measures against alleged power theft.
Dispute Over Surya Ghar Scheme
The committee also objected to the withholding of salaries of employees allegedly over the performance of the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
Tickoo said salaries were being withheld in areas including Dharmari, Reasi, Pouni, Rajouri, Poonch, Kotranka, Ramban and Banihal because of alleged shortcomings in implementing the scheme.
The committee has argued that employees should not be held responsible for shortcomings without first examining the circumstances and giving them an opportunity to present their case.
Tickoo Questions JPDCL’s Handling of Smart Meters
Tickoo also raised concerns over damaged smart meters installed in Jammu and Kashmir.
He claimed that around 25,000 smart meters were damaged and questioned whether any action had been taken against the agencies responsible for them.
“Has any action been taken on that account?” Tickoo asked.
He also demanded that the JPDCL Managing Director consider resigning on moral grounds over what he described as a failure to take action against agencies responsible for the damaged meters.
Employees Warn of Wider Power Disruption
The power employees’ organisation has said the proposed strike will continue until the suspension orders are withdrawn and withheld salaries are released.
The dispute could affect the functioning of power distribution services across Jammu and Kashmir if the proposed strike goes ahead.
The employees’ committee has maintained that it is willing to engage with the JPDCL management but wants the suspension orders reviewed before the strike is called off.
