CHARTER OF DEMANDSON BEHALF OF TNEB ENGINEERS’ ASSOCIATION

CHENNAI 26.10.2017

DEMAND No.1: ENHANCEMENT OF PAY AND GRADE PAY TO THE ASSISTANT ENGINEERS & ENHANCEMENT OF GRADE PAY TO THE ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE ENGINEERS & EXECUTIVE ENGINEERS W.E.F 01.08.2010:

1.0. The Association has been projecting the genuine plight of our engineers particularly the Assistant Engineers’ lot. Granting of enhanced Pay & Grade to the Assistant Engineers and enhanced Grade Pay to the Assistant Executive Engineers & Executive Engineers, duly implementing the recommendations of ONE MAN COMMISSION, is pending to be settled for over 7 years since 26.08.2010. This is an issue related to the earlier Wage Revision due as on 01.12.2007. The Association is therefore pressing for immediate consideration of implementing the recommendations of ONE MAN COMMISSION first with effect from 01.08.2010 i.e., the date the Government of Tamil Nadu gave effect. One again, it is pressed that the Wage Revision Committee may be pleased to consider this issue immediately and settle it first.

2.0. The Association desires to state the following pertinent points on this importance issue emphasizing the necessity for immediate settlement.

a) The pay scale applicable to the Assistant Engineers of TNEB is being decided with reference to the pay scale offered to the Assistant

Engineers of the Government Departments like Public Works Department, Highways Department etc. with significant increase over their pay. Similarly, the Assistant Executive Engineers & Executive Engineers are also offered reasonable increase over their government counterparts. This is the solemn convention, being practiced all along for decades together ever since the constitution of TNEB during the year 1957.

b) The table annexed will vouch the irresistible fact that the TNEB Assistant Engineers are all along placed at a higher pedestal for decades together compared to the Government Assistant Engineers.

c) Tamil Nadu Engineers’ Federation, the apex forum of all Graduate Engineers’ Associations representing the graduate engineers’ lot serving under various Government Departments and Government Undertakings / Corporations, have been pleading vehemently with the Government of Tamil Nadu for enhancing the pay scale applicable to the Assistant Engineers on par with other professionals like Government Doctors & Government Pleaders during the Wage Revision consequent to the implementation of 5th Central Pay Commission. The Government of Tamil Nadu did not consider its demand favourably and offered a pay scale of Rs.6500-200-11000 to the Assistant Engineers of the Government Departments w.e.f. 01.01.1996. The Board too offered an enhanced pay scale of Rs.7225-225-13525 to the Assistant Engineers of TNEB w.e.f 01.12.1996.

d) When the Government of Tamil Nadu was contemplating to implement the recommendations of 6th Central Pay Commission, the Tamil Nadu Engineers’ Federation, again, reiterated its demand for parity with other professionals and pleaded that the Assistant Engineers may be deemed to be in the pre-revised scale of Rs.8000-13500 instead of Rs.6500-11100 and their pay may be suitably revised at Rs.15600-39100+GP5400 in PB3. The demand was again turned down. The Government of Tamil Nadu, vide G.O. Ms. No. 234, Finance (PC) Department, dated 01.06.2009, has ordered a pay scale of Rs.9300-34800+GP4700 under PB2 w.e.f 01.01.2006 to the Assistant Engineers of the Government Departments. In line with the ever-practiced convention, the Board too ordered an enhanced pay scale of Rs.10100-34800+GP4600 to the Assistant Engineers of TNEB w.e.f 01.12.2007 vide (Per) B.P. (Ch) No. 224 (Secretariat Branch) dated 21.11.2009.

e) The G.O. Ms. No. 234, Finance (PC) Department, dated 01.06.2009 had been a matter of great disappointment to the graduate engineers. The only solace therein is the promise of the Government of Tamil Nadu to look into the anomalies in the pay scales pointed out by the Associations / individual employees subsequently. Accordingly, the Government of Tamil Nadu, vide G.O.Ms.No.444, Finance (PC) Department, dated 09.09.2009, has ordered constitution of ONE MAN COMMISSION consisting of Mr. Rajiv Ranjan, IAS, the then Principal Secretary to the Industries Department to examine the various anomalies in the pay scales

prescribed under G.O. Ms. No. 234, Finance (PC) Department, dated 01.06.2009. All Associations representing the graduate engineers serving under various Government Departments represented to the ONE MAN COMMSSION for parity with other professionally qualified personnel like Assistant Surgeons, Assistant Medical Officers, and Assistant Public Prosecutors and for enhancement of pay scale applicable to the Assistant Engineers from Rs.9300-34800+GP4700 under PB2 to Rs.15600-39100+GP5400 under PB3. The said Commission appreciated the rational claim of the Assistant Engineers and recommended to revise the pre-revised scale applicable to the Assistant Engineers from Rs.6500-11000 to Rs.8000-13500 with corresponding revised scale of pay at Rs.15600-39100+GP5400. The Government of Tamil Nadu, after careful consideration of the recommendation of the ONE MAN COMMISSION, passed relevant orders enhancing the pay scale applicable to the Assistant Engineers of PWD from Rs.9300-34800+4700GP under PB2 to Rs.15600-39100+5400GP under PB3 vide G.O.Ms.No.312, Finance (PC) Department, dated 26.08.2010. Similar enhancement was ordered to the Assistant Engineers of Highways Department vide G.O.Ms.No.283, Finance (PC) Department, dated 26.08.2010. This enhancement was given effect from 01.08.2010.

f) The Government of Tamil Nadu further ordered enhancement of Grade Pay to the tune of Rs.1200/- to the Assistant Executive Engineers and Rs.1000/- to the Executive Engineers through the above Government Orders dated 26.08.2010.

g) During the course of discussion on the Wage Revision due as on 01.12.2007 in the year 2009 itself, the Association had been representing to the Wage Revision Committee that there is every likelihood for revision of pay scale to the engineers serving in the Government Departments as a measure of rectification of anomalies and the Board too should come forward to revise the pay scale applicable to the engineers of the Board immediately as and when the Government of Tamil Nadu passes relevant orders in this regard. The Wage Revision Committee too was pleased to agree to revise the pay scale of the engineers in the event of any revision by the Government of Tamil Nadu.

h) Since 2010, the Association has been representing to the TNEB for similar enhancement of pay scale applicable to the Assistant Engineers under PB3 and enhancement of Grade Pay for the Assistant Executive Engineers & Executive Engineers appropriately in accordance with the ever-practiced convention. In spite of several representations from the Association, TNEB had been delaying the adoption of the Government Orders which were issued based on the recommendations of the ONE MAN COMMISSION under the guise financial constraints and acute power shortage etc. The Association, which plays the managerial role of the TNEB, has been waiting magnanimously for adoption of the above Government Orders, in view of the fact that the TNEB is starving for both power and finance. The Association firmly believed that the Board would order enhancement of pay and grade pay to all cadres appropriately with

effect from 01.08.2010, duly taking into account of the ever-practiced convention, once the financial constraints are over. It was unfortunate that the Board did not keep up its promise.

i) Meanwhile the Government of Tamil Nadu passed orders unilaterally reducing the Grade Pay of the Assistant Engineers from Rs.5400/- to Rs.5100/- and denying the enhancement of Grade Pay ordered to the Assistant Executive Engineers & Executive Engineers totally vide G.O.Ms.No.71, Finance (PC) Department, dated 26.02.2011 and constituted a PAY GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL CELL to look into the issue.

j) Based on the recommendation of the PAY GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL CELL, the Government of Tamil Nadu has subsequently passed another order reverting back to Rs.9300-34800 under PB2 instead of Rs.15600-39100 under PB3 for the Assistant Engineers vide G.O.Ms.No.242, Finance (PC) Department, dated 22.07.2013. It is a clear case of colourful exercise to please others at the cost of engineers.

k) The recommendation of the ONE MAN COMMISSION is based on scientific analysis on many rational grounds as listed below:

Appointed by direct recruitment Possession of a professional qualification Duties and responsibilities assigned to the Assistant Engineers Need for rectification of existing anomaly &

Necessity for parity with other professionals like Assistant Surgeons, Assistant Medical Officers and Assistant Public Prosecutors.

Despite these rational grounds, the PAY GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL CELL has resorted to reversion relying on many illogical grounds. The obvious intention of the PGRC is to reduce the scale applicable to the engineers to silence the voice of others and please them at the cost of engineers.

l) Challenging these colourful exercises without any rhyme or reason just to please others at the cost of engineers, many Associations and individuals have approached the Hon’ble High Court. The learned Single Judge dismissed their Writ Petitions. They went on appeal before Hon’ble Division Bench. The Hon’ble Division Bench ordered that the Government of Tamil Nadu may constitute a Commission headed by a former Chief Justice of a High Court, hear the views of all concerned and pass orders on its report. But the Government of Tamil Nadu went on appeal before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. All SLPs are pending adjudication on the file of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India.

m)The Hon’ble Division Bench ordered that the engineers shall continue to be paid in accordance with G.O.Ms.No.312, Finance (PC) Department, dated 26.08.2010 till it is finally decided. The Government of Tamil Nadu repeatedly assured before the Hon’ble Division Bench that there would not be any recovery of the excess amount paid to the engineers, even if the judgment is not favour of engineers.

n) The Assistant Engineers of TNEB, who are at a higher pedestal for over many decades, are now getting less pay to the tune of Rs.14,000/- compared to their government counterparts from 01.08.2010. Their morality is at the lowest ebb. They cannot wait until the SLPs are disposed off before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. It is not desirable to keep them to wait for further period, since this demand is pending to be settled for over 6 years.

3.0. It is pertinent to note herein that the Assistant Engineers appointed during 2015in PWD & Highways Department i.e., after G.O.Ms.No.242, Finance (PC) Department, dated 22.07.2013 are also being paid at Rs.15600-39100+GP5400 under PB3 till date, pending adjudication before Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. The Hon’ble Division Bench of Madras High Court has ordered to pay at the rate ofRs.15600-39100+GP5400 under PB3 till finality is reached. While so, there is no rationale to deny enhancement to our Assistant Engineers, Assistant Executive Engineers & Executive Engineers appropriately above the PAY & GRADE PAY being paid to the Government Engineers.

4.0 It does not appear to be fair and just that the Board now takes shelter under the cover of litigations, when it has been evasive for NEARLY THREE YEARS from 26.08.2010 to 22.07.2013. There is no bar or legal impediment to grant enhancement of pay and grade pay to the Assistant Engineers of TNEB/ TANGEDCO Ltd.

5.0. It is reasonably expected that the Board must come forward IMMEDIATELY to enhance the Pay & Grade Pay of the AEs and to enhance the Grade Pay of the AEEs &EEs appropriately above the Pay/ Grade Pay being paid to their government counterparts in accordance with the SOLEMN CONVENTION ever in force.

6.0. The Association requests that the respected CMD may be pleased to consider our demand for enhancement of Pay and Grade Pay appropriately to the TNEB Assistant Engineers and enhancement of Grade Pay to the AEEs & EEs on par with their government counter parts duly taking into the ever-practiced convention of keeping them at a higher pedestal at the earliest.

DEMAND No.2: IMPLEMENTATION OF ASSURED CAREER PROGRESSION PROGRAM TO THE ENGINEERS:

1.0. This Association has been representing for implementing “Assured Career Progression Program” ensuring a MINIMUM OF THREE PROMOTIONS in the career of all graduate engineers for a long time.

2.0. Most of the graduate engineers, who are mainly instrumental for the better functioning of TNEB / TANGEDCO, are retiring with two promotions only. At the same time, all other employees are getting more than three promotions in their career. The worst affected, where a minimum of three promotions is not offered in this organization, is the band of graduate engineers only.

3.0. The Association presents the following for kind consideration and seeks favourable consideration positively during this Wage Revision due as 01.12.2015.

3.1. HISTORY:

a) This Association has been representing for implementation of Time Bound Promotion / Assured Career Progression Program since 1995.

b) The Board, in its 735th meeting held on 27.10.1995, has resolved to extend Time Bound Promotion to the graduate engineers in principle. But it was not implemented.

c) During the discussion on the Wage Revision due as on 01.12.1996, this Association emphasized for consideration of this demand.

d) The Hon’ble Minister for Electricity, during the meeting with all Trade Unions / Associations held at the Secretariat on 04.07.1998,assureda minimum of three promotions to all employees.

e) This assurance from the Hon’ble Minister for Electricity was also duly incorporated in the Wage Revision Settlement dated 08.07.1998. Yet it was not implemented.

f) During the course of discussion on the Wage Revision as on 01.12.2000 held during the year 2005, this Association again emphasized for implementation of this demand.

g) The Hon’ble Minister for Electricity has agreed to consider our proposal favourably in its entirety and advised to pass

relevant orders in accordance with the proposal of the Association.

h) Contrary to the commitment of the Hon’ble Minister for Electricity, the Board diluted and passed orders providing Selection Grade & Special Grade only. These orders did not alleviate the sufferings of the graduate engineers.

i) Our repeated representations during the discussion on the next two Wage Revisions as on 01.12.2007 & 01.12.2011 are futile.

j) It is really unfortunate that primary players for enrichment of this organization still remain neglected.

k) This Association is filing this earnest appeal for consideration of this genuine demand positive during this Wage Revision as on 01.12.2015.

3.2. PRESENT SCOPE OF PROMOTION FOR GRADUATE ENGINEERS:

a) A graduate engineer, who is appointed as AE, has to wait for 11-14 years to secure the first promotion as AEE.

b) There will be another long wait for 15-17 years to secure the second promotion as EE.

c) Only around 20% are fortunate to rise up in the ladder as SEs/CEs, availing the third promotion in their career.

d) Many engineers, who have served for 29/30 years of service from their joining as Assistant Engineers, are unfortunate to retire with two promotions only.

e) Some among them may not move to “Selection Grade” before their retirement.

3.3. PROPOSED RELIEF PACKAGE: This Association proposes the following format of “RELIEF PACKAGE” providing a minimum of three promotions in the career of all graduate engineers based on the length of service:

a) Additional AEE after completion of 9 years of service from the date of joining as AE.

b) Additional EE after completion of 18 years of service from the date of joining as AE.

c) Additional SE after completion of 25 years of service.d) The officers elevated as additional AEEs/ EEs/ SEs will be

discharging the duties and responsibilities attached to the lower level posts only.

e) The pay of such additional AEEs/ EEs/ SEs will be fixed in the Scale of Pay applicable to the respective higher posts.

f) Date of joining as AE shall be criterion, whether the appointment is by direct recruitment or internal selection.

g) Fourth promotion to the post of CE may be vacancy based.

4.0. COMPARISION WITH THE GOTN: It is absolutely necessary for comparison of this theme in the other

organizations.

4.1. COMPARISION WITH THE GOTN:

It is pertinent to note herein that the Government of Tamil Nadu is extending four assured promotions to the government doctors

since 2009. This scheme now stands modified as below vide G.O. Ms. No. 245 dated 30.10.2013 of Health and Family Welfare (A2) Department:

a) Assistant Surgeon as Senior Assistant Surgeon after completion of 8 years of service.

b) Senior Assistant Surgeon as Civil Surgeon as after completion of 7 years of service

c) Civil Surgeon as Senior Civil Surgeon after completion of 2 years of service

d) Senior Civil Surgeon as Chief Senior Civil Surgeon after completion of 3 years of service in the Scale of Pay Rs.37400-67000+GP8700 (PB4).

The Government Doctors, thus, attain four assured promotions and reach the Scale of Pay Rs.37400-67000+GP8700 (PB4) applicable to the SEs on completion of 20 years of service. The demand of this Association is to extend three assured promotions for a span of 25 years.

4.2. COMPARISION WITH OTHER ELECTRICITY ORGANIZASIONS:The concept of “Assured Career Progression Program” is being

practiced in all public-sector power enterprises under the control of Government of India like NLC, NTPC, NHPC, PGCIL, BHEL, Coal India, ONGC etc.

4.3. COMPARISION WITH OTHER SEBs:

a) Many Power Corporations/ Companies carved out from the erstwhile SEBs and reorganized consequent to the provisions of Electricity Act, 2003 in the States of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Karnataka, Punjab etc. are implementing “Assured Career Progression Program are also implementing “Assured Career Progression Program”.

b) In Haryana, the Assistant Engineers are moved to the Scale of Pay of Executive Engineers @ Rs.15600-39100+GP6400 on completion of 5 years of service and then to the Scale of Pay of Superintending Engineers @ Rs.37400-67000+GP8700 in PB4 on completion of 12 years of service since their joining as Assistant Engineers.

c) In Uttar Pradesh, Assistant Engineers are moved to the Scale of Pay of Executive Engineers after 9 years @ Rs.15600-39100+GP6600 (L11), to the Scale of Pay of Superintending Engineers after 14 years @ Rs.37400-67000+GP8900 (L13) and to the Scale of Pay of Chief Engineers @Rs.37400-67000+GP10000 (L14) after 19 years since their joining as Assistant Engineers.

5.0. BENEFIT TO THE BOARD:

a) It is needless to emphasize that the graduate engineers are the kingpin of this on-line industry. They are toiling day and night for building up the great entity and better functioning of this vital organization committed to the cause of common people.

b) They are volunteering their stupendous service amid all onerous hurdles in the field of generation, transmission and distribution in order to extend uninterrupted quality power to all classes of consumers’ lot.

c) It is imperative that the graduate engineers should focus their undivided attention in the acceleration of all activities with high degree of skill and ability, without falling prey to the sense of dejection in view of stagnation.

d) There is dwindling morale among the rank and file of the entire band of graduate engineers. There is an urgent need to erase out their dejection and ease them out from the wild clutches of stifling stagnation.

e) This demand, if it is studied in the proper perspective and implemented at the earliest, would boost their morale and yield better results in terms of performance of this industry.

6.0. RELIEF:

This Association advocates for holistic relief at all levels, since such gesture would stimulate everyone to put forth their talents with absolute determination and dedication. At the same time, it wants to be pragmatic in its approach. Elevation of all graduate engineers, who have completed 25 years of service from their date of joining as AEs as Additional Superintending Engineers in the SE’s Scale of Pay PB4 may be considered immediately and remaining relief may be extended within a reasonable period of ONE YEAR.

7.0. The Association places this genuine demand before the Wage Revision Committee for kind consideration and favourable orders thereon at the earliest.

DEMAND No.3: NON-INCLUSION OF RATIO AMONG THE ASSISTANT ENGINEERS & JUNIOR ENGINEERS GRADE-I IN THE

FORTHCOMING WORKLOAD SETTLEMENT WITH WORKMEN:

1.0. Various workload settlements, entered between the management and trade unions representing workmen, are meant for prescribing work-norms and staff pattern in the distribution areas under the provisions of Industrial Dispute Act, 1947.

2.0. Assistant Engineers & Junior Engineers Grade-I do not belong to “workmen” categories and they are classified as “Officers”. They do not fall under the ambit of Industrial Dispute Act. While so, the ratio among the Assistant Engineers and Junior Engineers Grade-I should not find a place in any of the workload settlements made with workmen. Unfortunately, the ratios 2:2:1 & 2:3 were incorporated in the workload settlements.

3.0. Even though these ratios 2:2:1 & 2:3 have limited applicability restricted to the distribution areas only, diploma holders are going on voicing that they are meant for whole of the Board and they are cornering more share robbing the chances of fresh graduate engineers.

4.0. Herein, it is pertinent to consider the comments of the Hon’ble First Bench in the judgment dated 26.02.2015 on the above said ratio dispute, which is reproduced below for kind ready reference:

“It is also pertinent to mention here that without amending the regulations, the Board cannot continue to arrive at settlements so as to contribute to litigations.”

5.0. The Hon’ble First Bench has thus restrained TANGEDCO Ltd to incorporate the ratio in the workload settlements.

6.0. For the reasons stated above, the Association requests not to entertain any request from the diploma holders and incorporate the ratio among the Assistant Engineers and Junior Engineers Grade-I who fall under officers’ categories in the forthcoming workload settlement with workmen during this Wage Revision due as on 01.12.2015.

DEMAND No.4: EXECUTION OF TRIPARTITE AGREEMENT AMONG THE GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU, TNEB & EMPLOYEES:

1.0. TNEB was reorganized into three entities viz. (a) Tamil Nadu Electricity Board Ltd, (b) Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited & (c) Tamil Nadu Transmission Corporation Limited vide G.O.Ms. No.100 [Energy (B2) Department] dated 19.10.2010. All are registered under the Company Act. All of them are government owned companies. They came into force w.e.f 01.11.2010.

2.0. Execution of tripartite agreement among the Government of Tamil Nadu, TNEB and employees is an essential requirement when there is transformation from SEB to reorganized entities.

3.0. Such tri-partite agreement has to ensure and extend a firm guarantee to all employees/ pensioners for hassle free payment of pension and other terminal benefits. TNEB Ltd has to create a “Master Pension Fund” with reasonable fund allocation initially. TANGEDCO Ltd has to deposit the entire quantum of pension amount payable to all pensioners/ family pensioners every month well in advance to the due date of payment into the Master Pension Fund. TANGEDCO Ltd and TANTRANSCO Ltd shall also work out the proportionate component of pension for their employees in their rolls and deposit into the Master Pension Fund every month. It is also desirable to work out the proportionate component for sale of every unit of electricity and deposit into the Master Pension Fund every month. This

Association is of the strong opinion that these measures are quite essential to ensure smooth payment of pension/ family pension.

4.0. Rarely there had been a talk on this issue in the past. It is unfortunate that TNEB is not earnestly coming forward to enter into such agreement.

5.0. This Association requests to kindly arrange for early execution of tripartite agreement to safeguard the interest of the serving employees as well as pensioners.

DEMAMD No.5: REVIEW OF EXISTING WORKNORMS FOR RWE STAFF IN DISTRIBUTION SECTIONS:

1.0. Workload for the RWE Staff in the Distribution Sections is regularly increased during every wage revision without any scientific study whether such norms are practically workable and the trade unions too readily sign such agreements without any reservation, since their workmen are never made accountable for any lapses.

2.0. The present work-norms of 18 transformers for each unit comprising of one Wiremen and one Field Assistant is certainly impracticable to achieve the degree of efficiency that is sought to be achieved and attained.

3.0. The following is the minimum requirement of maintenance of distribution transformers in the field in order to avoid premature failure of distribution transformers and to ensure their prescribed life time:

(a) Maintenance of Earth Pits

(b) Maintenance of Transformer Yard

(c) Checking the condition of Silica Gel

(d) Use of proper sizes of HV/ LV fuses

(e) Testing of Oil Sample and

(f) tree clearance.

It is a fact that this is not practiced even to the tune of 10% of what is expected. Main causes for the breakdown of HT/LT lines and failure of distribution transformers are the resultant effect of lack of maintenance in the distribution network.

4.0. In the absence of adequate attention by the RWE staff over the maintenance of transformers & HT/LT lines in the distribution areas, failure of distribution transformers increases to manifold. TANGEDCO Ltd is forced to incur heavy expenditure towards replacement of such failed units.

5.0. There are also many fatal/ non-fatal accidents, which cause huge drain by way of compensation to the families of such victims.

6.0. It is therefore imperative to go for a scientific study in the context of prescription of standards of performance by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission and enhanced consumers’ awareness for evolving reasonable workload which can be accomplished without deviation or dereliction of norms.

7.0. None of the trade unions may mind about this aspect. But we are constrained to mind about it since it reflects on us and also impair the fair name of the organization.

8.0. The Association files its strong objection to increase the work norms of 18 transformers to 20 transformers for each unit of one Wireman and one Field Assistant. It is disheartening to note that the regular practice of dividing the higher capacity transformers by 100 is proposed to be dispensed with. It is not fair to terminate this regular practice.

9.0. The Association, therefore, requests that the proposed enhancement of transformers from 18 to 20 may be dispensed with. It presses for a scientific study of the existing work-norms intended for the RWE staff in the distribution areas and let it be implemented in the forthcoming workload settlement.

DEMAND No.6: PRESCRIBING DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR RWE STAFF & ASSESSMENT STAFF FOR DISTRIBUTION SECTIONS:

1.0. It is glad to note that TANGEDCO Ltd is now engaged on the job of assigning duties and responsibilities to the RWE Staff / Assessment Staff, responding our fervent appeals repeatedly in the past. The Association expresses its sincere thanks for such move.

2.0. Duties and responsibilities have not been prescribed for the subordinate staff so far; unless they are prescribed and published, the subordinate staff cannot be made accountable for any lapses. Ultimately, the officers are being axed for the lapses on the part of the subordinate staff.

3.0. It is therefore imperative to prescribe duties and responsibilities for the RWE staff and assessment staff, making them accountable for the lapses and deficiencies on their part.

4.0. The staff, who is duty bound to carry out any prescribed responsibility, has to execute the job without fail. The next higher staff is duty bound to ensure that the concerned lower level staff has executed the said responsibility. Only the next higher staff, who is responsible to ensure execution of the said responsibility, needs to be pulled up in addition to the erring staff, if at all there is any let up. The officers in the rank of Assistant Engineers/ Assistant Executive Engineers should not be subjected to disciplinary proceedings for the lapses committed by the RWE Staff/ Assessment Staff under the guise of lack of supervision extending the arm of responsibility irrationally to the 2nd and 3rd level of supervision for anything and everything.

5.0. The Association, therefore, requests to kindly arrange for prescribing duties and responsibilities for all subordinate staff forthwith in order to inject a sense of alertness in their mind.

DEMAND No.7: NEED FOR EVOLVING SUITABLE WORKNORMS FOR SUB-STATIONS AND EHT LINES OF ALL VOLTAGE RATINGS:

1.0. It is true that the existing workload settlement contains some sort of norms for the operation and maintenance of EHV Sub-Stations and EHT Lines prescribed. It is also equally true that some posts, available in the earlier settlements, were scrapped without any rhyme or reason in the recent settlement.

2.0. TNEB has been unbundled into three entities. It is imperative to evolve suitable norms for the operation and maintenance of EHV Sub-Stations and EHT Lines under the jurisdiction of TANTRANSCO Ltd separately after appropriate study.

3.0. It is emphasized that such norms need to be evolved based on the voltage ratings of the Sub-Stations/ Lines and also based on the numbers of available equipment like Transformers, Circuit Breakers and other associated Switch Gears.

4.0. Preventive maintenance is more important than breakdown maintenance for the purpose of assuring uninterrupted power supply. It is desirable to march towards ZERO BEAKDOWN of EHT Lines by effectively adhering to the periodicity schedule of maintenance of equipment and lines.

5.0. The Association, therefore, requests to kindly evolve suitable norms for the EHV Sub-Stations & EHT Lines after scrutiny of all aspects as stated above.

DEMAND No.8: IMPLEMENTATION OF ORGANIZATIONAL CHART FOR TANTRANSCO Ltd:

1.0. The Board of TANTRANSCO Ltd has debated extensively and after care consideration resolved an organizational chart for TANTRANSCO Ltd vide (Per) FB TANTRANSCO Proceedings No.31, dated: 10.07.2012.

2.0. It is unfortunate to note that there is no earnest attempt to sanction new posts in accordance with the above approved organizational chart. Almost many decisions remain on record only for the past FIVE YEARS.

3.0. Operation and maintenance of 110KV Non-Grid Sub-Stations are being looked after by the Assistant Engineers/ Assistant Executive Engineers/ Distribution of TANGEDCO Ltd.

4.0. It is a matter of fact that these distribution officers may not effectively concentrate for proper maintenance of these sub-stations, which are vital links for ensuring uninterrupted power supply to the consumer’s lot, in view of their immeasurable O&M works coupled with execution of many funded schemes.

5.0. Many costly equipment remain care free without adequate attention at the level of officers. Evidently this scenario is undesirable. It is therefore desirable to consider posting of exclusive Assistant Engineers & Assistant Executive Engineers to pay undivided attention to the 110KV Non-Grid Sub-Stations as prescribed in the TANTRANSCO’s Proceedings dated 10.07.2012.

6.0. The Association, therefore, requests to kindly consider sanction of all posts in all cadres as prescribed in the TANTRANSCO’s Proceedings dated 10.07.2012 at the earliest to achieve the effect of reforms and restructuring.

DEMAND No.9: NEED FOR EVOLVING SUITABLE WORKNORMS FOR MRT, SPECIAL MAINTENACE AND PROTECTION &COMMUNICATION:

1.0. It is glad to observe that there is an earnest attempt in this direction to prescribe norms duly taking into account the numbers of Sub-Stations and

to provide additional man-power requirement for the MRT and Special Maintenance Branches, which are the vital wings for better operation and maintenance of EHT Sub-Stations.

2.0. Besides sanction of additional RWE staff to cope up additional burden exceeding the prescribed norms, it is absolutely necessary to consider sanction of additional posts of officers in the rank of Assistant Engineers and Assistant Executive Engineers in the MRT & Special Maintenance Branches, since officers alone are competent to take decisions and are accountable.

3.0. In some distribution circles, exclusive Executive Engineers/ MRT are not there. Executive Engineers/ General cannot move out and join with MRT/ Special Maintenance for inspection of Sub-Stations/ HT Services and for attending to breakdowns. It is therefore necessary to consider sanction of Executive Engineers/ MRT exclusively for such circles at the earliest.

4.0. Sanction of exclusive Executive Engineers/ MRT would ensure smart restoration of power supply and also augmentation of revenue to the organization.

5.0. It is desirable to evolve suitable norms for the Protection and Communication wing on par with MRT & Special Maintenance Branches.

DEMAND No.10: EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF WORKNORMS SETTLEMENTS:

1.0. It is not sufficient to evolve work-norms and enter into settlements with the trade unions; but it needs to be faithfully implemented. It is not desirable to have norms only on PAPER but not practiced.

2.0. At present, there is no proper review at regular intervals and sanction of new posts in accordance with settled work-norms.

3.0. It is imperative that there shall be periodical review at regular intervals and sanction of new posts in all cadres including officers.

4.0. It is also imperative to fill up such new posts within reasonable time. It is desirable that there should be remarkable turnaround on the part of TANGEDCO and sincerity to honour its commitment by way of workload settlement.

5.0. At present, there is no earnest attempt to fill up all vacant posts at any point of time.

6.0. It is absolutely necessary that no post is kept vacant beyond 6 months. All posts are to be regularly filled up by promotion/ recruitment at regular intervals. There is an imperative need for assessment of vacancies for all entry level posts in general and Assistant Engineers & Field Assistants in particular every year and all are filled up then and there.

DEMAND No.11:SANCTION OF ADDITIONAL CHARGE ALLOWANCE:

a) It is again emphasized that no post is kept vacant beyond a maximum period of 6 months.

b) Additional Charge Arrangement shall be brought to minimum by filling up the vacancies then and there without delay by way of promotion/ recruitment.

c) Additional charge allowance shall be paid to all officers without any discrimination whether the nature of job is of office or field nature.

d) Additional charge allowance to the Assistant Engineers and Assistant Executive Engineers working in the Head Quarters Office and Circle & Regional Offices of the Chief Engineers and Superintending Engineers is denied. This discrimination should be

stopped forthwith and such officers should also be paid additional charge allowance.

e) Assistant Engineers and Assistant Executive Engineers in the field areas of MRT, C&I, Technical Services, Electrical Maintenance, CMP etc. in the Thermal Power Stations are also being denied additional charge allowance, reading between the lines in the instructions communicated under Memo (Per) No.79004/A18/A181/2012-2 dated 08.05.2013.

f) It is quite unfair to hear that Audit Branch raises objection and suggests recovery of additional charge allowance already paid to such Assistant Engineers and Assistant Executive Engineers serving in the field areas of Thermal Power Stations.

g) The clarification sought for in this regard by this Association may be arranged to be issued at the earliest.

h) Additional charge allowance should be enhanced to 50% from the present level at 20%.

i) Such additional charge allowance shall be arranged to be paid along with the monthly salary of the officers concerned without insisting for submission of proposals from such incumbents.

j) There is an attitude as if the additional charge allowance is an “INAAM” (free). This sort of misapprehension requires to be erased. Review of the disciplinary proceedings initiated on many officers in the cadre of Assistant Engineers / Assistant Executive Engineers that lapses are pointed out only at the time of holding additional charge arrangement, since they are taken for a ride by the subordinate staff during such occasions of additional charge arrangement.

DEMAND No.12: REVISION OF WAGES DUE AS ON 01.12.2015:

a) The Association records its sincere thanks for the benevolent decision of TANGEDCO Ltd to use the Multiplication Factor of 2.57 adopted by the Government of India and Government of Tamil Nadu and consider revision of wages for the engineers and employees, wholeheartedly taking into account the recommendations of 7th Central Pay Commission.

b) It is also reasonably expected that TANGEDCO Ltd shall continue to maintain the marginal elevation in respect of pay to all categories of engineers over the scale of pay payable to their counterparts in the government departments and keep us under higher pedestal in accordance with the everlasting convention.

c) This Association presses for creation of separate scale of pay for the Directors of TANGEDCO Ltd & TANTRANSCO Ltd.

d) Almost all Executive Engineers and senior Assistant Executive Engineers are likely to face stagnation. Denial of annual increment amounts to penalize the officers, as if they have committed misconduct. It is therefore just and fair to continue to grant annual increment, duly appreciating their dedicated service. It is therefore requested that all officers may be permitted to draw stagnation increment every year as assured in the last Wage Revision due as on 01.12.2011 without any hindrance.

e) The Executive Engineers belong to Class-I Service; but they were kept unethically under PB3, while other Class-I officers in the cadre of Superintending Engineers and Chief Engineers were kept under PB4. Almost all Executive Engineers have rendered equal quantum of service along with the Superintending Engineers/ Chief Engineers. This discrimination of placing them under PB3 is therefore unjust. The Association has been pressing for placing the cadre of Executive Engineers under PB4 in the past. It is now requested that revised pay of

the Executive Engineers may be arranged to be fixed as if they were in PB4.

f) It is requested to consider sanction of ONE ANNUAL INCREMENT for every SEVEN YEARS OF QUALIFYING SERVICE towards SERVICE WEIGHTAGE.

g) Nature of job attached to the employees and engineers in our organization is much onerous. Admittedly, there is vast difference when our job is compared with the job of employees in the Government. It is therefore requested that arrears from 01.12.2015 may be arranged to be paid.

h) It is also requested that newly recruited Assistant Engineers may be permitted to avail the wage revision benefit.

i) Choice of option as on 30.09.2015 to switch over to revised scale of pay may also extended; otherwise it may pave way for pay anomaly resulting in unnecessary administrative exercises.

j) Rectification of pay anomaly is now restricted among the seniors and junior officers in the identical cadre only; seniors in the higher cadres are now drawing less pay than their juniors in the lower cadre. Natural justice demands rectification of such anomalous situation as well. This Association presses for inclusion of a protective clause in the Proceedings for the Wage Revision to set right the situation.

k) All existing allowances shall be arranged to be paid on % basis of Pay & Grade Pay, dispensing with the present system of lump sum payment.

l) The following new allowances may also be favourably considered. There is absolute need to sanction a suitable allowance in order

to reimburse the cost of Petrol/ Diesel used by the officers in the cadre of Assistant Engineers and Assistant Executive Engineers, who are not provided with office vehicles.

Grant of Current Consumption Allowance to all engineers and employees according to their status.

CUG facility shall be extended to all Assistant Executive Engineers and Assistant Engineers in the Central Offices.

It is also necessary to provide CUG phones to all distribution staff so that they are contacted by the officers in the event of breakdown and other emergent occasions.

Ceiling limit of CUG Phone charges need to be enhanced. Dust allowance & Coal Handling allowance to the engineers and

employees in the Thermal Power Stations shall be considered. Grant of allowance to the officers and employees serving under

MRT, Special Maintenance and Sub-Station Maintenance & EHT Lines Wings is much important to recognize their dedicated service.

DEMAND No.13: GRANT OF INCENTIVE INCREMENT FOR ACQUIRING MBA, BOILER OPERATOR EXAMINATION, ENERGY MANAGER AND ENERGY AUDITOR EXAMINATION:

The Association request to consider sanction of INCENTIVE INCREMENTS for acquiring MBA degree, pass in Boiler Operator Examination, pass in Energy Manager and pass in Energy Auditor Examination, since there is extensive scope for utilization of their knowledge gained by such incumbents for enhancing the functions of TANGEDCO Ltd & TANTRANSCO Ltd.

DEMAND No.14: PROVISION OF INFRASTRUCTURAL FACILITIES:

a) Provision of scanning machines and xerox machines for all Distribution Offices and Sub-Stations may be considered.

b) Provision of Wifi facility may be considered for all Division Offices, Central Offices of Distribution Circles/ Generation Circles/ General Construction Circles/ Operation Circles/ P&C Circles/ Regional Offices/ HQ Office etc.

DEMAND No.15: MAINTAINING PERSONAL INFORMATION SYSTEM:

This important job is left uncared. Creation of database for all employees incorporating their postings & transfers, Performance Assessment Reports, Pending Disciplinary Proceedings etc and updating these details will be much useful for drawl and approval of promotion panels without delay.

DEMAND No.16: FIVE DAYS A WEEK:

The Government of Tamil Nadu is functioning only for 5 days in a week. It is desirable to study implementation of such 5 days a week in TANGEDCO Ltd & TANTRANSCO Ltd.

DEMAND No.17: FLEXIBLE WORKING HOURS FOR WOMEN ENGINEERS:

Women engineers with children may be permitted flexible working hours, requiring them to adhere to the prescribed minimum working hours and without detrimental to their office assignment.

DEMAND No.18: SANCTION OF NEW POSTS:

1.0. At present, there are no exclusive Executive Engineer/ MRT in some of the distribution circles. There is only one Executive Engineer/ General Cum MRT looking after the both Central Office & MRT works. They may be bifurcated and excusive Executive Engineers/ MRT posts may be sanctioned for such Distribution Circles.

2.0. The present of Executive Engineers/ Electrical in the offices of Chief Engineers/ Distribution may be upgraded as Superintending Engineers/ Electrical.

3.0. A post of Assistant Executive Engineer/ General may be sanctioned for all O&M Divisions, enabling the Executive Engineers to undertake frequent tours and to concentrate on the field activities.

4.0. Revival of Assistant Engineers for Periodical Inspection for distribution divisions is also an essential requirement. After all, all of them are self remunerative.

5.0. Sanction of AEEs/ HT Billing posts in the Central Offices of SEs/ Distribution to look after HT Billing is all the more important to ensure safe - drain free – flawless revenue collection.

6.0. Sanction of construction sub-division with one Assistant Executive Engineer/ Construction and 2 or 3 Assistant Engineers/ Construction for each O&M Division is of utmost importance to effective execute all extension works associated with various schemes like RAPDRP, RGGVY, IPDS, DDUGJY & UDAY

7.0. Sanction of Assistant Engineer/ Computer posts for all O&M Divisions.8.0. Sanction of new posts in the cadre of Assistant Executive Engineers &

Assistant Engineers for harmonic measurement, GIS & CMRI etc shall also be considered.

9.0. Engineers shall be relieved from the responsibility of perusing the legal matters, by considering sanction of exclusive posts with legal expertise and experience at all circles.

DEMAND No.19: REVIVAL OF OLD PENSION SCHEME FOR THE NEWLY JOINED EMPLOYEES FROM 01.04.2003.

The employees who joined after 01.04.2003 are not entitled for pension. The present practice of CPS may be dispensed with and all of them may be brought under old Pension Scheme.

DEMAND No.20: MAINTENANCE OF CPS ACCOUNTS:

There is a growing doubt in everybody’s mind that the CPS accounts are not being maintained perfectly. It may be ensured that annual account slips duly indicating the contribution of employees and employer may be arranged to be issued to all subscribers without fail every year.

DEMAND No.21: NEED OF INTRODUCING SINGLE WINDOW SELECTION FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE POST OF ASSISTANT ENGINEERS:

1.0. The Assistant Engineers fall under techno-managerial cadre. There is therefore absolute need for selection of candidates on the basis of merit, ability and aptitude.

2.0. Selection on the basis of merit is a legal requirement for filling up the posts under public employment.

3.0. At present, the posts of Assistant Engineers are filled up by two modes of selection viz. (a) Direct recruitment & (b) Internal Selection in the ratio 1:1. It was introduced in the year 1985, where there were only NINE Engineering Colleges. It needs a review, since there are around 600 engineering colleges and many deemed universities.

4.0. Almost all engineering colleges are conducting weekend courses towards B.E., degree. It is now an easy job to acquire B.E., degree by part-time studies in the present scenario. Quality of part-time education has been badly eroded. It is therefore essential to verify the quality of the in-service candidates, who claim to have acquired B.E., degree. They are expected to compete with all eligible candidates and secure selection on the basis of merit.

5.0. Many best and brilliant candidates tuned to the latest technologies through regular curriculum stand disappointed and remain unemployed, while the in-service candidates are automatically absorbed without any selection process.

6.0. Providing a common platform for all candidates both outsiders and in-service candidates is the best solution to identify right candidates. Single Window Selection is the only option to such course.

(Sd.)……………. (N.MATHIMRAN)

General Secretary