Chandigarh News,Chandīgarh: As part of major structural reforms in the power sector of Chandigarh, privatization of power distribution services was envisaged under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ launched by the Government of India in May 2020. Privatization of power distribution companies in the Union Territories to ensure better services to consumers, operational improvements, financial efficiency in distribution and provide a model for emulation by other utility companies across the country. In pursuance of this, UT Privatization process was initiated in Chandigarh and M/s Eminent Power Company Limited was selected as the successful bidder. Following the approval of the Union Cabinet, ‘Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited’ (CPDL) was formed and to protect the interests of the employees, whose transfer is proposed to the new Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited, ‘Chandigarh Electricity Employees Master Trust’ was created. Incorporated under the Indian Trust Act, 1882. The Employee Master Trust will look after all the terminal liabilities of the transferred employees and the company will transfer an amount of Rs 263.00 crore to this account.
UT on 21.11.2024 In the meeting held under the chairmanship of Gulab Chand Kataria, Hon’ble Administrator, Chandigarh, the matter relating to service benefits of the employees transferred to the new company was discussed and the Hon’ble Administrator gave directions to ensure that all Employees’ existing service benefits must be protected. Honorable Administrator especially UT You have been directed to properly address the complaints of the Powermen Union. To move forward with the privatization process, the Chandigarh administration issued a letter of intent (LoI) to the highest bidder on 22.11.2024.
The Draft Transfer Plan has the following provisions to protect the interests of transferred employees:
The conditions of service applicable to transferred personnel shall in no way be less favorable or inferior to the conditions applicable to them immediately before the date of transfer.
All these personnel will receive continuity of services in all aspects. All benefits of service accrued to the Company, including government benefits to which they are entitled during their service under the Administration prior to the date of transfer, will be fully recognized and protected and such personnel will be taken into account. account for all purposes, including the payment of any or all terminal benefits.
The Company will not send transferred personnel out of Chandigarh without their prior consent.
All procedures for accepting and distributing terminal benefits of the Trust will be determined by Management upon recommendation of the Board of Trustees.
The Trust will manage and operate until the terminal obligations of the transferred employees are paid in full. The Chandigarh Electricity Reform Transfer Scheme has been prepared and the transfer of functions of the Chandigarh Administration to ‘Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited’ (CPDL) will be done through the Electricity Reform Transfer Scheme, in which specific provisions to protect the interests of employees. . The Chandigarh Management will constitute a Committee from the date of transfer to receive options/representations/suggestions regarding transfer of personnel in the Company and to make recommendations to the Management regarding their grievances regarding transfer of personnel in the Company . The Administration, after considering the recommendations of the Committee, will issue the orders it deems appropriate with respect to the personnel transferred to the Company.
Power Power Distribution RPSG Group Chairman PR Kumar said, “We are committed to providing the best services to consumers. We are also committed to respecting the conditions of service and pension benefits of employees transferring from Chandigarh Electricity Department to the Company in letter and spirit.” Privatization of electricity supply and distribution in Chandigarh will have several consumer-centric benefits such as better, proactive, responsive and digitally enabled customer services and will pave the way for induction of modern operational technologies in electricity within Chandigarh, ensuring thus a reliable and quality electricity supply. I will be safe. Furthermore, it will also help reduce transmission and distribution (T&D) losses, which will ultimately benefit consumers and the general public.
