Last Updated on May 13, 2021 at 9:03 pm
The Managing Director of Jammu and Kashmir Power Transmission Corporation Limited (JKPTCL) and Chief Engineer of Transmission Wing Jammu have locked their horns over transfer of 23 Junior Engineers (JEs).
According to the reports Chief Engineer had requested the Managing Director to put transfer order of JEs on hold temporarily considering second wave of COVID-19 but the MD reportedly refused to adhere to the request.
Managing Director of JKPTCL Jammu issued an order on 30 April 2021 to transfer 23 Junior Engineers from one division to other divisions of the department in Jammu as well as in Udhampur. All the JEs which were mentioned to be transferred were relieved on the very same day according to instructions.
According to the sources, JEs shared their anxiety to Chief Engineer regarding moving to a new location in midst of a pandemic as the transfer order was issued during the peak of second wave of covid cases. “They said that it would not be possible for them to arrange food, shelter, travel, etc because of lockdown restrictions. They requested him to hold transfer orders till second wave of covid cases slows down a bit and there are some relaxations in lockdown” said a source in the department.
Understanding their genuine problem, CE sent a communiqué to MD JKPTCL on 3 May 2021 which reads that considering ongoing pandemic situation and increasing Covid-19 cases, order issued could be put on hold until pandemic is over because moving JEs in present condition can negatively impact functioning of all ongoing urgent works and maintenance of power supply.
However, Managing Director replied to the communiqué of Chief Engineer on 5 May 2021 mentioning that transfer/adjustment is a routine administrative exercise mandated by the government. An official said that even though transfers are a routine exercise but it can be temporarily stopped considering current pandemic.
This pandemic is extremely dangerous and has become the cause of many deaths in Jammu and Kashmir. Hundreds of cases are being reported daily in the UT.
