SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Electrical Engineering Graduates Association (JKEEGA) has raised alarm over the severe leadership vacuum in the Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Department (JKPDD), with 80 per cent of top-level positions, including Managing Director, Executive Director, Chief Engineer, and Superintendent Engineer roles, remaining vacant. This was among the key issues discussed during a meeting between a JKEEGA delegation, led by its president, Er Pirzada Hidayatullah, and Hon’ble Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
The delegation also highlighted the lack of recruitment of Junior Engineers since 2016, which has placed an overwhelming burden on the existing workforce and hampered effective field operations. These twin challenges, they asserted, are contributing to inefficiencies within the department and obstructing the implementation of vital schemes.
In the meeting, the delegation brought attention to additional concerns, including the non-regularisation of engineers despite a 2019 State Administrative Council (SAC) order. They described how engineers are performing senior roles but continue to receive salaries at the Junior Engineer (JE) or Assistant Engineer (AE) level, leading to frustration and low morale.
The delegation criticised the current practice of disbursing salaries through the Grant-in-Aid (GIA) system, which has resulted in delays and created difficulties for employees seeking loans. They called for a shift back to the paysys system used prior to the unbundling of JKPDD into corporations.
JKEEGA also expressed disappointment over the denial of Assured Career Progression (ACP) to engineers, contrasting it with its implementation for JKAS officers under the same cabinet decision. They noted discrepancies in accountability measures, highlighting that engineers often face suspensions for minor issues while bureaucrats remain immune to similar actions.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah assured the delegation of a time-bound resolution to these issues, starting with the regularisation of engineers. He reiterated his support for reforming the power sector in Jammu and Kashmir and appreciated the engineers’ role in driving development.
The JKEEGA delegation expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for his recent approval of charge allowances for in-charge promotions and the revocation of engineer suspensions. They remain hopeful for a peaceful resolution to the challenges and pledged full support for the implementation of reform-based schemes.
The delegation included senior engineers Er Dalbir Singh, Er Azhar Hamid Mattoo, Er Shabir Khan, Er Fayaz Ahmad Wani, Er Aijaz Jan, Er Farhan Manzoor Shah, and Er Muddassir Nabi.
