In a significant development amid ongoing unrest in Punjab's power sector, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann held a crucial meeting with representatives of the Punjab State Electricity Board Engineers Association (PSEBEA) on Thursday. The delegation, led by association president JS Dhiman, presented a comprehensive list of grievances affecting engineers and employees of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL).
First Formal Grievance Meeting Since AAP Took Power
Sources within PSEBEA confirmed that this marked the first formal meeting between the association and the chief minister specifically addressing grievance-related issues since the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) assumed power in Punjab in 2022. The timing of this meeting is particularly significant as PSPCL engineers and employees have been engaged in sustained agitation since November 2025.
Key Issues Discussed During the Meeting
During the detailed discussions, association members highlighted several critical concerns that have fueled the ongoing unrest. The suspension of Harish Sharma, chief engineer of the Ropar and Goindwal Sahib Thermal Plant, received particular attention during the meeting. This disciplinary action, along with the termination of services of Harjeet Singh, director (generation), has triggered widespread resentment among engineers across the state.
The disciplinary measures were reportedly taken following allegations of unusually high fuel costs at these two state-run thermal plants compared to private thermal power plants. However, engineers have consistently maintained that these actions were arbitrary and failed to consider systemic and policy-level issues affecting power generation and distribution in Punjab.
Broader Concerns Beyond Disciplinary Actions
The meeting also addressed several other significant issues that have emerged during the ongoing agitation. These included:
- The optimum utilisation of vacant government-owned land (OUVGL), under which over 50 PSPCL properties have been earmarked
- The state government's lack of a clear response to the draft Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025
- Concerns about political interference in the functioning of PSPCL
PSEBEA representatives expressed serious concerns that the proposed Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025 could potentially weaken the public power sector, affecting both employees and consumers across Punjab.
Background of the Power Sector Agitation
The current unrest represents a significant development in Punjab's power sector dynamics. In December last year, PSEBEA joined forces with other PSPCL unions to form a Joint Action Committee comprising power sector employees, engineers, and pensioners. This coalition has been organizing zone-wise protest rallies across the state, with the most recent rally concluding in Jalandhar on January 20.
According to PSEBEA sources, such joint agitation involving power sector employees on this scale has not occurred in the past decade, highlighting the depth of discontent within the sector. Before announcing their next course of action, the association successfully secured an appointment with the chief minister to present their case directly.
Previous Interactions and Current Context
While this meeting represents the first formal grievance discussion, it is not the first interaction between PSEBEA and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Previous meetings in January 2024 and 2023 were largely ceremonial in nature. The 2024 meeting focused on expressing gratitude for the government's takeover of the Goindwal Sahib Thermal Plant, while the 2023 interaction occurred during the annual general body meeting of PSEBEA where Mann served as chief guest.
The current meeting, however, takes place against a backdrop of heightened discontent within the power sector. Engineers argue that unresolved issues, combined with disciplinary actions against senior officers, have significantly demoralized the workforce and affected operational efficiency.
Outcome and Future Implications
According to members present at the meeting, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann gave the delegation a patient hearing and assured them that their issues would be carefully examined and resolved. The chief minister acknowledged the concerns raised by the engineers and employees, though no official timeline or concrete decisions were announced immediately following the meeting.
The power sector employees have been particularly vocal about what they perceive as political interference in the functioning of PSPCL. They maintain that as an autonomous body, PSPCL should be allowed to operate independently on professional lines without external pressures affecting its operations and decision-making processes.
As Punjab's power sector continues to face challenges, this meeting represents a critical step toward addressing long-standing grievances. The outcome of these discussions and the government's subsequent actions will likely determine the future course of the agitation and the stability of power supply across the state.
