PDD employees hit streets against proposed privatization; threaten statewide strike
Srinagar: Employees of Power Development Department (PDD) Thursday held a protest here against government’s decision privatize the department.
Shouting slogans “stop privatization, stop unbundling”, hundreds of employees under the banner of PDD Employees Coordination Committee assembled at the Press Enclave here this afternoon and staged a protest to press for the revocation of “arbitrary” decisions.
Lamenting government’s decision, protesting employees said the move was taken without taking employees on board. They said the decision to unbundle PDD and SPDCL is unacceptable to them and that the government should revoke the decision before the situation turns ugly.
Perturbed by the decision, the employees said the governments hasty decision will in no way prove beneficial for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“We held series of meetings with the government representatives in this regard in the past and we were assured that no decision will be taken without taking employees in onboard. We will fight against the unbundling of PDD and SPDCL tooth and nail,” said the agitating employees.
They warned the government to refrain from implementing any such decision which could bring employees on the roads. Protesting employees threatened statewide strike in case the government didn’t revoke its decision.
“We held a meeting at PDD head office today in which representatives of both Jammu and Kashmir provinces participated. A unanimous decision was taken that employees will not allow the government to implement decision of unbundling the department,” they added.
Pertinently, government is all set to ‘reorganize’ J&K Power Development Department (PDD) and J&K State Power Development Corporation Limited (JKSPDCL) under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act 2019.
Centre has also issued notice inviting e-tenders (E-NIT) last year for consultancy services for the assignment of reorganization of JKPDD and JKSPDCL.
In this regard, the commercial aspects related to the power purchases, communication and testing has been assigned to Jammu and Kashmir State Power Trading Company Limited (PSU).
The government of Jammu and Kashmir in compliance with Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act 2019 intends to appoint a consultant to assist in re-organizing the departments.
