Punjab ignoring quota of other provincial employees in Discos

ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary committee on Wednesday expressed serious concern over non-hiring of the employees by the Punjab government from other provinces in its power distribution companies (Discos) on specifies quotas for these provinces, while it [Punjab] is fully availing itself of its employment quota in other provinces’ Discos.

The sub-committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Water and Power that met here with Senator Nisar Muhammad in the chair also said that the National transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) recruitments were also unclear and focusing recruitment from only one province where the company is located.

The committee directed the authorities to provide the complete details of the provincial quota regarding hiring of Grad-17 and above positions in the NTDC. While reviewing the construction work including grid stations, feeders and recruitment in Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco), the committee directed the NTDC and Ministry of Water and Power officials to acquire equipment from a specific country and firm, quality equipment from standard companies for grid stations and power projects.

Pesco Chief Executive Officer (CEO) informed the committee that Pesco was allowed to spend additional Rs500 million funds but due to less funds availability to development projects, the company was facing difficulty in paying its dues. The contractors had also refused to supply material due to non-payment of their bills, he added.

Owing to proposed privatisation plan of Pesco, the government barred Pesco from hiring employees on various posts except on important ones and there are 3,000 posts lying vacant right now, Pesco chief said.

He informed the committee that some 720 persons of grade 1 to 16 were recruited, since 2015 against vacant posts through screening while 49 junior engineers of grade-17 were also hired. It was informed that out of the total quota of 29 posts reserved for Punjab, 20 had joined the company.

Senator Nisar Khan said that Punjab was getting its full share in the Discos of other provinces, however Punjab was not providing quota to other provinces in its Discos. The sub-committee was further informed that three 220kV grid stations including Nowshera, Chakdara and Manshera would be energised by March 2018.

Officials of NTDC apprised the committee that all the said grid stations were of vital importance and it would help overcome power loadshedding and low voltages issues in Malakand division and Manshera. They said these projects were being completed with Asian Development Bank Loan (Tranche-IV).

Nisar Khan said the country's transmission and distribution system was outdated resulting in more power loadshedding in areas having over 90 percent recovery.

He also directed strict action against those getting power supply without installing electricity meters. The panel was further apprised that 58 power transformers were removed in Khyber Circle due to over 90 percent losses but it was re-installed. “The police cannot go to the area and we requested army for help but in vain,” he said.  The meeting was attended by senators Ahmed Hassan and Muhammad Zafarullah Khan Dhandla and other senior officials of the ministry, NTDC and Pesco.