Srinagar, June 18: Deeply perturbed by continued neglect at all administrative levels, the Jammu and Kashmir Electrical Engineering Graduate Association (JKEEGA) on Wednesday staged a one-day mass protest across Jammu and Kashmir against the prolonged non-regularization of engineers in the Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Department (JKPDD). The protests were held simultaneously at the JKPDD Complex Bemina in Srinagar and Gladini in Jammu.
In a press statement issued to the Greater Kashmir, JKEEGA vowed to intensify protest if genuine demand of regularization not is met.
Er Pirzda Hidayatulla, President JKEEGA & Er Sachin Tickoo, General Secretary JKEEGA said, in a joint press statement, that “the proposal of regularization of Power Engineers, which was pending since last so many years, was placed before Establishment Cum Selection Committee on 27-02-2024 without any positive outcome. Worthwhile to mention that the then SAC in Oct 2019 vide Decision No: 258/22/2019, Dt: 22-10-2019 had directed to complete the regularization process of Power Engineers in two months time by providing one-time exception for referring the case to JK-PSC and instead complete the same through Departmental DPC level after approval from Establishment-cum Selection Committee. But till date even after a lapse of 05 years, the decision is yet to see the ray of light except for some handful retired engineers regularized.
In order to press for genuine demand of regularization JKEEGA held a massive mass protest of engineers across J&K on 08-01-2025 with threat to further intensify the protests and Govt. in order to pacify the protesting engineers held meeting of Establishment Cum Selection Committee on 20-01-2025 with agenda of regularization of engineers of JKPDD under discussion. The Government further assured to immediately settle the issue of regularization on priority. Based on assurances given, JKEEGA after due consultation with its apex body i.e. Guidance Council decided to provide time to government for settlement of issue of regularization. However to utter surprise of every power engineer of J&K the MoM of Establishment Cum Selection Committee meeting was not issued and circulated thus raising doubts on the intentions of Government.
In order to address the burning issue of non-regularization of engineers of JKPDD, Guidance Council of JKEEGA served a notice of 17 days followed by one more notice of 7 days to Government vide JKEEGA/JMU/KMR/2022-24/519-525 Dated 26/05/2025 & JKEEGA/JMU/KMR/2024-26/526-32 Dated 10/06/2025 with a plea to issue orders for regularization of engineers. However, Government failed to issue regularization orders of PDD engineers, thus forcing power engineers of J&K to hold peaceful mass protest on 18-06-2025 with a resolve to further intensify the protest and hold 2 days mass protest exactly after 1 month time on 16th and 17th July 2025 if the demand is not met. The protest was held without affecting essential services and with participation of all engineers from the ranks of Junior Engineer to Chief Engineer/Executive Director and Managing Director.
Throwing light on achievements of power engineers, Er Pirzada & Sachin Tickoo said that power engineers have always been instrumental in developmental activities of all forms. Apart from developmental activities power engineers of J&K have always been at the forefront in delivering services to public even during hostile conditions viz-a-viz Harsh Winters, Covid-19 and recent War like situation. It is however disheartening to inform that despite working to the best of their abilities, under most hostile conditions which Hon’ble Union Minister for Power, Manohar Lal Khattar also acknowledged recently while reviewing power sector of J&K, the Power Engineering fraternity in the UT have been put to hardships by virtue of non fulfilments of promises viz-a-viz Regularization, ACP, Filling of Vacancies thus pushing power engineers to wall. Further power engineers are not at par with other sister engineering wings like R&B, MED, PHE when it comes to regularization, cadre strengthening and promotion opportunities.
JKEEGA as last resort though this medium appeals Hon’ble Union Power Minister of India, Hon’ble Chief Minister UT of J&K and Wothry Chief Secretary UT of J&K to intervene and solve the issue of non-regularization of power engineers and direct the concerned Administrative authority to issue regularization orders of JKPDD engineers adopting similar yardsticks like in other sister engineering wings without any further delay. JKEEGA also appeals Honourable Chief Minister UT of J&K to save this Department from going into despair and revive the hopes of Power Engineers towards this Government.
