Patiala: The Punjab State Transmission Corporation Limited (PSTCL) has announced the transition of its outsourced workforce to direct contracts, following a recent state policy decision. This development comes five days after the Punjab govt resolved a major strike by outsourced power plant employees demanding direct contracts, which had threatened the state’s power supply during the peak summer and paddy sowing season.According to official directives issued on Saturday, the transition covers outsourced personnel engaged in substation maintenance, transmission line maintenance, substation operations, and grid substation construction. To qualify immediately, workers must possess the required technical qualifications and have completed three years of service in hazardous roles or five years in non-hazardous positions. Those short of the required experience will be transitioned upon completing their tenure.For unqualified personnel, PSTCL has structured a skill-upgradation pathway. These workers will undergo a 10-day basic hands-on training program, followed by a basic technical knowledge test. Upon passing the exam and meeting the experience criteria, they will be appointed as skilled contractual workers.The corporation guaranteed full pay protection, stating that remuneration under the new direct contracts will not fall below the workers’ current wages or state-notified minimum wages. Financial savings generated from eliminating third-party contractor margins and GST will be passed down to the employees as additional benefits, subject to standard deductions like provident fund, employee state insurance and gratuity.The employees will be placed on annual service contracts that can be extended yearly based on performance and conduct, up to a maximum age of 58 years. While there is no strict entry age restriction, candidates must pass mandatory medical fitness standards. The policy maintains a strict conduct clause, allowing for immediate termination in cases of grave misconduct.The transition remains governed by the state ordinance and is subject to final validation from the department of personnel. The office of the deputy chief engineer (HR & admin), PSTCL, has been designated as the central nodal office to manage the implementation process.Raj Kumar Tiwari, AITEK senior vice-president Punjab, said, “There are around 15,000 outsourced workers together in PSPCL and PSTCL of which govt has issued notification for more than 8000 workers including thermal plants and those working in transmission segment, to bring them under direct contract.”MSID:: 132180068 413 |
