The PSEB Engineers Association is calling for an impartial judicial inquiry into allegations surrounding demands for “party funds” to ensure accountability and justice. They have expressed strong opposition to political interference in the Punjab power sector.
In a letter to Chief Minister Punjab, General Secretary Ajaypal Singh Atwal highlighted that certain influential political figures are misusing their power to disrupt the operations of power corporations and demanding money under the guise of party funds.
A particularly alarming incident involved an engineer in Hoshiarpur who faced coercion to pay a so-called “party fund.” This incident has raised serious concerns about ethical and legal standards within the sector.
Recently, the vigilance bureau arrested a Deputy Chief Engineer and a lineman from PSPCL for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000, with the complainant stating that the Dy. CE demanded this amount in the name of party funds. The Punjab vigilance department is currently investigating the matter.
The demand for a “party fund” from power engineers represents a troubling decline in ethical standards. Such coercive practices not only undermine integrity but also threaten to establish a dangerous precedent where honest officials face repercussions for their principles while corruption is tolerated. If these practices are not addressed, they risk fostering an environment of chaos within the power sector.
Instead of supporting engineers in enhancing Punjab’s power infrastructure, some individuals are resorting to intimidation tactics, including fear, transfers, and financial extortion. Forcing engineers to engage in unethical behavior disguised as a “party fund” is entirely unacceptable.
Given the seriousness of these issues, the Association urges the Chief Minister to prioritize this matter and take swift action to safeguard power engineers from such unethical coercion, thereby ensuring a safe and transparent working environment for all.
