Soon, Tangedco maintenance to be done by contract staff

According to the proceedings approved by Tangedco Chairman and Managing Director dated December 16, the utility has approved carrying out day-to-day maintenance through the work contract system in the sub-divisions of the distribution circles for three years.

It has been outsourcing maintenance activities by engaging contract workers in various wings, including day-to-day operation and maintenance of sub stations, overhead high tension cables and even small hydro stations. As per the staff strength as on March 31, 2020, the utility has 51,193 vacant posts out of the sanctioned staff strength of 1,35,470. In the RWE category, including field assistant and wireman, 37,128 out of 89,803 posts are vacant.

A senior official said by engaging contract workers, consumer complaints would be attended to without any delay. “Due to huge vacancies in the field assistants and wireman categories, there will be a delay in attending to complaints. By engaging contract workers, we will be able to overcome manpower shortage,” the official said.

As per the latest order, the contractor have to deploy a minimum of 20 labourers and the bill would be paid based on the works in unit rate basis. In case of a fatal accident of a worker, the contractor should pay Rs 5 lakh as compensation to the legal dependent and could claim the same from Tangedco, it said.

Trade union leaders noted that engaging contract workers in large scale would deny permanent employment opportunities to youth in the State. “Tangedco management seems to be interested in cutting down salary cost but not keen on providing employment opportunities to educated youth,” they said.