The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has barred all the employees of the Power Development Department (PDD) from applying for leaves during winters while extreme medical emergency cases have been exempted.
A statement issued by KPDCL reads, “No leave of any kind shall be granted in winter spell in favour of the officers/Officials of the DISCOM.”
While expressing the worry and anxiety over the order JK Employees Electrical Union (J&KEEU) President Abdul Rashid told a local news agency, Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the order is very harsh.
“How is it possible for a lower rung employee of PDD who is posted in far flung area to come to the corporate office to get emergency leave sanctioned on health grounds,” he questioned.
The circular issued by KPDCL reads, “It is impressed upon all the officers/ officers to maintain their headquarters. Besides, leave of any kind if granted by any controlling officer stands canceled with immediate effect. Further, all the controlling officers are hereby directed not to grant sanction leave of any kind to any officer/ official henceforth.”
The order further reads that the permission in rarest of the rare circumstances on medical grounds shall be granted by the corporate office only.
“Any deviation of circular instructions shall be viewed seriously and the defaulting officer shall be liable for disciplinary action under relevant conduct Rules”, reads the circular.
Managing Director KPDCL Mohammad Ajaz (IAS) told KNO that the order is issued in the interest of the public. “Our priority is to give uninterrupted power supply to the valley and for that, if we have to postpone our engagements there should be a problem in doing that.”
“However the leaves for extreme medical emergencies will have to be sanctioned by corporate office only”, he further said. Meanwhile, the Employees Union President appealed the MD KPDCL to reconsider his decision in the interest of those employees. (KNO)
