J&K Power Employees Call Off Strike After JPDCL Revokes Suspensions
The Jammu and Kashmir Power Employees and Engineers Coordination Committee (JKPEECC) on Friday called off its indefinite strike after the management of Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL) agreed to several key demands, including the revocation of suspension orders. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
The decision followed hours of negotiations that continued past midnight between JKPEECC representatives and senior JPDCL officials.
Power Development Department (PDD) employees had started their indefinite strike on Thursday, August 13, 2026, seeking action on several issues, including the withdrawal of suspension orders, registration of FIRs in electricity theft cases and a comprehensive standard operating procedure (SOP) for damaged meters.
Agreement Reached After Midnight Talks
A memorandum of agreement on the nine-point charter of demands submitted by JKPEECC was signed at around 1.45 am following lengthy discussions.
The talks involved JKPEECC convenor and JKEEGA president Sachin Tickoo, DEA president Sanjay Sharma and JPDCL Managing Director Gurpal Singh.
Senior JPDCL officials, including Chief Engineer (Distribution) Arshad Hussain Reshi, Chief Engineer (Projects) Ravi Kant Kalsotra, Superintending Engineer Anil Verma and CEO (IT) Rohit Bhagotra, also took part in the discussions.
Six Suspension Orders Revoked
One of the main demands of the employees was the immediate withdrawal of suspension orders issued on August 6, 2026.
JPDCL management confirmed that the suspension orders had been revoked, while the related show-cause notices were kept in abeyance.
The suspended employees included:
- Two linemen
- Two meter-readers
- One Junior Engineer (JE)
- One Assistant Engineer (AE), who has since been promoted to Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE)
Staff from the Miran Sahib sub-division who had been attached to the Managing Director’s office and other locations were also relieved and placed at the disposal of the Superintending Engineer, O&M Circle, Jammu.
FIRs in Electricity Theft Cases
On the demand for registration of FIRs in electricity theft cases, JPDCL agreed to take action where cases are submitted by the concerned Sub-Divisional Officers (SDOs) to police stations or Station House Officers (SHOs).
The action will be taken under Section 135(1A), read with Section 151, of the Electricity Act, 2003.
JPDCL’s competent authority will authorise the concerned officers to take the required action within four weeks.
SOP for Damaged Meters
Another major issue raised by the employees was the absence of a comprehensive SOP for damaged and non-communicating electricity meters.
JPDCL’s Chief Engineer (Distribution), CEO (IT) and Technical Officer to the Managing Director assured the employees that an SOP would be prepared within one month.
Officials may examine similar SOPs followed by other distribution companies and the Central Electricity Authority. They may also consult the REC Power Development and Consultancy Limited (RECPDCL) while preparing the document.
Regarding billing for damaged or non-communicating meters under Jammu and Kashmir Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) regulations, it was agreed that the matter would be taken up with JERC before the next billing cycle in September.
Action Against Agencies Over Metering Issues
The management also agreed to take contractual or penal action against REC and executing agencies if deficiencies are established in the supply, installation, replacement, communication or maintenance of meters.
Responsibility will be fixed on the Project Implementation Agency (PIA) or Advanced Metering Infrastructure Service Provider (AMISP), wherever applicable, according to the relevant contracts.
JPDCL also agreed that suspension of employees in electricity theft cases would be carried out only after following the prescribed rules and enforcement procedures.
Solar Scheme Concerns
The agreement also addressed concerns raised by employees regarding the implementation of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.
JPDCL said vendors empanelled for rooftop solar installations would be encouraged to organise awareness fairs, display banners and conduct promotional activities to improve consumer awareness.
The management said any action against employees would be taken only after assessing actual performance.
Systemic Accountability Agreed
On the issue of accountability, JPDCL assured the employees that the entire enforcement chain would work together, covering detection, inspection and meter verification.
In cases of violations, action will be taken under Sections 135 and 151 of the Electricity Act, 2003.
The management also assured that Departmental Promotion Committees (DPCs) for all cadres would be conducted on a fast-track basis in accordance with General Administration Department (GAD) circulars.
Following the agreement, JKPEECC called off the indefinite strike, bringing the protest by power employees to an end after the management accepted several of their key demands.
