Dehradun, February 26 Engineers from the three power corporations in Uttarakhand have warned of a mass resignation over the state government's attempt to eliminate the requirement of an engineering background for appointment as Managing Director.
This development comes after Prakash Chandra Dhyani, the Managing Director of the Power Transmission Corporation of Uttarakhand Limited (PTCUL), continues to hold the top position despite the High Court annulling his appointment.
The Uttarakhand Power Engineers Association (UPEA) has warned the state government of a mass resignation and a work-to-rule strike in protest against the conversion of positions requiring an engineering background, such as Managing Director, into non-technical ones and the extension of service to retired officers.
Alleging non-compliance with the High Court's order of February 18, RTI activist Anil Baluni has filed a contempt petition in this regard.
Demanding a judicial inquiry into the matter, the Congress party claimed that a Class III employee has been elevated to the position of Managing Director through a well-planned conspiracy.
Rahul Chanana, the General Secretary of the UPEA, said that the executive committee meeting of the organization held here on Wednesday unanimously condemned the extensions granted to retired officers in energy corporations, and opposed the government's intention to eliminate the requirement of an engineering background for the top position in such corporations.
If such practices continue, the committee also warned the state government of a mass resignation by engineers of the three energy corporations and a work-to-rule strike across the state.
The warning from UPEA, the engineers' association of the three power corporations – UJVNL Limited, Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited, and PTCUL – comes at a time when the Pushkar Singh Dhami government has barely managed to quell the anger of employees who went on strike after BJP MLA Umesh Sharma Kau and his supporters assaulted Director of Elementary Education Ajay Nautiyal.
In an order last week, the High Court had annulled Dhyani's appointment, stating that it violated Rule 9A of the Uttarakhand Managing Director and Directors Selection and Appointment Procedure Rules, 2021, which requires an engineering graduate qualification for the post.
Dhyani is allegedly lacking this qualification.
Meanwhile, RTI activist Anil Baluni has alleged that despite the High Court's order, Dhyani continues to attend to his office and carry out routine work as usual.
Baluni said that this constitutes contempt of court, and he has filed a petition against it in the High Court.
Yashpal Arya, the Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly, has alleged that a Class III employee was elevated to the position of Managing Director in the Energy Department through manipulation, corruption, and a well-planned conspiracy.
Terming Dhyani's promotion a slap in the government's face, Arya said, the incident proves that political patronage and collusion prevail in the department, instead of merit, experience, and rules.
Arya has demanded a judicial or high-level independent inquiry into Dhyani's entire career, and a detailed investigation into the role of the officials and the department involved in the promotion process.
He has also demanded a special audit of all major financial and policy decisions made by the Managing Director.