Power Crisis in Ludhiana: Staff Shortages and Protests Disrupt Operations
Noorwala outage sparks row: Power crisis brews in Ludhiana amid staff shortage, protest
Hindustan Times
Image: Hindustan Times
A month-long protest by employees of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) over staffing shortages has led to significant power outages in Ludhiana, particularly at the Noorwala substation. The situation escalated following the suspension of a junior engineer, prompting further protests and highlighting systemic issues within the organization.
- 01Power outages in Ludhiana are linked to staff shortages and a protest by PSPCL employees.
- 02A significant outage at Noorwala substation affected residents for four hours amid high temperatures.
- 03The suspension of a junior engineer for delays in restoring power sparked additional protests.
- 04Employee unions claim only 82 of 192 sanctioned posts at PSPCL are filled, exacerbating operational challenges.
- 05Unions demand immediate staffing solutions and resolution of pending overtime payments.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
A severe staff shortage at the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has resulted in significant power outages in Ludhiana, particularly affecting the Noorwala substation. On Sunday, a four-hour outage left residents without electricity during peak heat hours, exposing long-standing staffing issues. The outage was caused by a technical fault, but restoration was delayed due to insufficient personnel on site. Following the suspension of junior engineer Balbir Chand, who was blamed for the delay, protests erupted, with employee unions arguing that the real issue lies in systemic manpower shortages rather than individual negligence. Unions have highlighted that only 82 of 192 sanctioned posts are currently filled, leading to reliance on temporary duty arrangements that are unsustainable. They are demanding immediate action to fill vacant positions, release of pending overtime wages, and better management of staffing to ensure reliable power supply.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The ongoing power crisis and protests are affecting electricity supply to residents, particularly during peak heat, which could lead to discomfort and potential health risks.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
How should the government address staffing issues in power utilities?
Connecting to poll...
More about Punjab State Power Corporation Limited
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.