Telangana plans mass transfers of power staff
HYDERABAD:Â The Telangana government is set to undertake large scale transfers in the power sector, targeting employees who have remained at the same posting for over two years. Officials said staff facing multiple complaints will be moved out of focal posts and placed in non focal positions.
Those facing inquiries over corruption allegations are likely to be transferred to remote locations. Energy department special chief secretary Naveen Mittal is learnt to have recently submitted a report to the government, which has given an in principle clearance.
Guidelines soon; process by March
The government plans to frame transfer guidelines shortly and complete the exercise by March. Transfers have not been carried out in the power department for several years. Recently, senior officials recommended lifting the ban on transfers.
The energy department has begun collecting comprehensive details of employees, including years of service at current postings, previous postings and the nature of complaints. Officials have been asked to categorise complaints such as professional negligence, demand for bribes and non availability at the workplace.
Details have been sought from senior officials of power utilities, including GENCO, TRANSCO, Southern Power Distribution Company of Telangana Limited (SPDCL) and Northern Power Distribution Company of Telangana Limited (NPDCL). While transfers are usually considered after three years at one place, the tenure is now being reduced to two years, with strict implementation in distribution companies. Some relaxation is proposed for field staff at GENCO plants and TRANSCO.
Engineers on deputation under review
The government is also reviewing postings of skilled personnel, including engineers posted at power plants but working on deputation at the Hyderabad GENCO office. In view of staff shortages at generation units, there is a proposal to send them back to plants.
Corruption complaints trigger action
Senior officials have received 3,841 complaints against power staff over the past six months, most of them against distribution company employees. Complaints range from bribes for power connections to transformer replacements. Officials have also flagged allegations of bribe demands from farmers availing free agricultural power.
There are complaints of large collections from industrial units in Hyderabad, Rangareddy and Medak districts. In recent Anti-Corruption Bureau raids, some deputy engineer and assistant engineer-level officials were caught, with the ACB flagging disproportionate assets.
Field-level staff have also been accused of being inaccessible, neglecting duties during power disruptions and transformer failures, and appointing proxies to attend work. These issues were discussed at a recent review meeting chaired by the chief minister, with officials noting damage to the government’s image. The government has since directed tighter monitoring and a clean-up from the field level.
Political lobbying intensifies
With senior-level scrutiny of individual records, some distribution staff are approaching political leaders to retain their postings. Officials said employees who secured positions after the change of government, allegedly through political patronage and bribes, are anxious and attempting backroom negotiations to stay put.
Some are trying to project complaints as politically motivated, while others with proximity to senior officials continue to hold focal posts. Such lobbying is reportedly more pronounced in and around Hyderabad districts.
