Chandigarh: Haryana’s energy department employees on Monday withdrew their proposed three-day strike, scheduled from Aug 11 to 13, following a detailed meeting chaired by energy minister Anil Vij.The decision came after discussions between the govt and representatives of various unions, associations and morchas of the energy department. The Joint Action Committee announced the withdrawal of the strike after receiving assurances from Vij on three key issues: the proposed Agri DISCOM, the grant of a parallel private power distribution licence in the Gurgaon-Nuh region, and the installation of smart meters.Addressing employee representatives, Vij said the energy department had opposed the proposal for a parallel licence from the outset and that the department’s objections had been approved at his level. He clarified that the licence application is currently before the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC), an autonomous body.“We have opposed it and continue to oppose it,” Vij said, adding that the department could also file an appeal as it was not in favour of the proposal.On the issue of the proposed Agri DISCOM, Vij said the matter had been mentioned in the chief minister’s budget speech, but no concrete action had been initiated by the department so far. He assured employee representatives that all stakeholders would be consulted before any future decision is taken.Clarifying concerns over smart meters, Vij said no fresh tender had been issued and consumers would continue to have the choice of opting for either prepaid or postpaid smart meters.The meeting also reviewed the creation and re-creation of posts across the state’s four power corporations. Vij directed officials to send a proposal to the Rationalisation Commission and seek a time-bound decision.Union representatives thanked the minister for keeping technical posts below the junior engineer level outside the ambit of the online transfer policy for now.Vij also directed that promotions be granted according to rules and roster provisions. He assured that issues related to cashless medical treatment and mediclaim facilities would be taken up with the additional chief secretary (health).The minister said DC-rate employees should receive wages at par with those engaged through the Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam (HKRN) and directed officials to submit a proposal to the govt.He further announced that a committee would examine the demand for risk allowance for employees performing hazardous duties. Vij also sought a comparative report on electricity allowances in other states and said ex gratia benefits in cases of death or accidents during duty should be extended without the existing five-year service condition.Demands relating to increasing the junior engineer promotion quota from 35% to 50% and cadre-specific ACP benefits were also discussed during the meeting.Following the assurances, the HSEB Diploma Engineers Association also withdrew its proposed strike.
