PATIALA: The PSEB Engineers Association has demanded an impartial “judicial inquiry” into the alleged ‘party fund’ incident to ensure accountability and justice. They said that interference in the working of the Punjab power sector and the demand for a “party fund” by politicians is utterly unacceptable.
Ajaypal Singh Atwal, General Secretary, conveyed in his letter to the Chief Minister of Punjab that certain influential political figures in the region are exploiting their authority to interfere in the functioning of power corporations and soliciting money in the name of party funds. He elaborated on a particularly disconcerting and unprecedented incident where an upright engineer in Hoshiarpur was pressured into paying a so-called party fund.
It warrants mention that the vigilance bureau apprehended the PSPCL Deputy Chief Engineer in Hoshiarpur and a lineman for reportedly accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000. The complainant alleged that the Deputy CE demanded a bribe of Rs 50,000 in the name of a party fund. The vigilance department of Punjab is investigating this incident.
This flagrant demand for a “party fund” from power engineers represents an alarming deterioration, as such coercion not only transgresses ethical and legal norms but also establishes a perilous precedent where upright officers face punishment for their honesty whilst corruption receives encouragement. If such malpractices persist unchecked, they will lead to anarchy within the power sector, declared PSEBEA.
Instead of bolstering engineers in enhancing Punjab’s power infrastructure, certain individuals are allegedly attempting to control engineers through fear, intimidation, transfers, and now even financial extortion. Compelling engineers to participate in unethical practices under the pretence of a “party fund” is wholly unacceptable.
Given the gravity of this situation, the Association urged the CM to address this matter with paramount urgency and implement decisive action to safeguard power engineers from such unethical coercion, ensuring a secure and transparent working environment for all.
