Mysuru: The department will be filling 9000 more posts at the earliest, said Energy Minister D K Shivakumar. He also mentioned that according to a survey, four companies in the department were among the top 10 best companies in the country and CHESCOM topped the list.
Speaking during the valedictory function of the training for new recruits in the department for various posts including Junior Lineman and Assistant Engineer at Kalamandir here on Monday, he said, “When I took charge as energy minister in the state, among 55,000 sanctioned posts in the department, more than 30,000 posts were vacant. In the last three years, I have managed to fill more than 24,000 posts. Earlier appointments were made on recommendation from various politicians, officials including senior engineers but since I took over I have not encouraged any influence. All the posts were filled based on only merit.” To encourage staff and the public, every year an award will be presented to best employee and supplier, he added.
‘Self sufficient in power in 3 years’
“In the last three years we have added 5000 mw power. If we add 10,500 mw power, we will be self sufficient and need not depend on others for power. To avoid load shedding during this season, already I have invited tender for 1000 mw power. During the last three years, the load shedding too has drastically come down not only in the district but also across the state. This is achieved because of the effort from all the staffs including the very important linemen. Every year for free electricity to farmers, the government is spending Rs 9000 Crore. The free electricity cost for each farmer every year at an average comes up to around Rs 75,000″, he said.
Rs 5 lakh and a job for family members of the deceased probationers
D K Shivakumar also announced that in case of death of a probationary worker, the department would pay Rs 5 Lakh to the family members and also a permanent job to them. “Apart from this, if anybody dies due to electric accident including members of the public, the government will pay a compensation of Rs 5 Lakh. The order in this regard will be issued in a couple of days.” He also mentioned that the term “lineman” would also be changed in a month’s time. “I don’t want to call them as linemen. They play an important role in the department and hence I have formed a committee to come up with an alternate name for lineman which will be decided in a month’s time”, added Shivakumar.
Smart Grid to expand
“Smart Grid, as a pilot project for the first time was implemented by CHESCOM in Mysuru. Even the British high commissioner had appreciated the project and hence keeping this in mind we have planned to implement the same in Hubli and Bengaluru”, he announced.
“Earlier world leaders used to first visit Delhi and later other places but now they are first coming to Bengaluru. It is all because of the clean administration and the outstanding all round human resources which include doctors and engineers we got in the state. Even Vajpayee had told this. Hence we should keep up the good work and meet the expectation of the people”, added Shivakumar.
