SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Sept 13: Protesting the backtrack of Jharkhand Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (JUVNL) management, the power employees today took out a bike rally in Dhanbad and threatened to go on a strike if their power allowance and other demands are not implemented as per the agreement.
Hundreds of power employees under the banner of Jharkhand Rajya Bijili Kamgar Union (JRBKU) took out ‘Halla Bol’ bike rally which after crossing through different areas of the coal city reached the Combined Building-based Dhanbad Power Area Board office and held gate meeting to serve the ultimatum to the management.
JRBKU general secretary Ramkrishna Singh charged that despite signing the agreement and giving assurance four times, the JUVNL management has not implemented the long-pending demands of the power employees so far.
“At the bilateral meeting with JUVNL general manager (administration) on August 11, it was decided that the management would decide on giving 6% power allowance to employees within 15 days but no announcement has been made over it till date. Moreover, it was also decided to revert the 12 transferred employees but no step has been taken in this regard,” charged Ramakrishna Singh.
The JRBKU general secretary said that the Dhanbad Area Board of JBVNL collects revenue of over Rs 37 crores every month but overtime payment of employees in Dhanbad Circle has not been made in the last 10 years.
Due to a shortage of hands, technicians and engineers are under an overload of work. One engineer has been given the additional responsibility of three places. Even on Sunday, the technicians have to attend duty to cater for the requirement but they are not given compensatory off.
“The even more glaring point is that employees have not been given a promotion after the creation of the Jharkhand state. For the last 22 years, the employees are working on the same post,” Ramakrishna Singh added.
He announced that the power employees would carry agitation across the state till JUVNL management does not implement a 6% power allowance and other demands.
