UP Power Corporation Chairman Issues Strict Warning: Workers Without Safety Gear Will Be Dismissed

Lucknow: In a stern move aimed at ensuring worker safety, Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Chairman Dr. Ashish Kumar Goyal has issued a warning that any employee found working without proper safety equipment will be immediately dismissed. The directive was issued during a review meeting on Monday, amidst ongoing protests and disputes involving electricity workers in the state.

Zero Tolerance Policy on Safety Violations
Dr. Goyal emphasized that maintenance and operational tasks must only be carried out while wearing the prescribed safety gear. He clarified that all Discoms are adequately equipped with the necessary protective equipment. In case of any accident, accountability will extend up to the Executive Engineer, and strict action will be taken.

Electricity Bill Relief Campaign
The chairman also directed comprehensive promotion of the electricity bill relief scheme starting 1 December, which benefits long-unpaid, defaulting, and theft-prone consumers. He instructed officials to register eligible consumers and recover pending dues using various outreach methods including public announcements, district administration support, meter readers, feeder managers, pamphlets, newspapers, social media, caller tunes, and WhatsApp messages.

Additional Instructions to Discom Officials
Dr. Goyal further issued instructions to prevent transformer damage, enhance revenue collection, and resolve complaints regarding solar rooftop connections. He also warned the Technical and Commercial Directors of Southanchal Discom to avoid attending meetings unprepared. Senior officials from all Discoms and the Power Corporation were present at the meeting held at Shakti Bhavan.

Opposition to Privatization Proposal
Meanwhile, the Electricity Employees Joint Struggle Committee has raised concerns over alleged misuse of data in the privatization proposal, demanding its immediate withdrawal. The committee urged Chief Secretary S.P. Goyal not to approve the proposal. The committee reiterated that electricity workers would launch a mass protest, including imprisonment if privatization tenders are issued, noting that the chairman had previously stated in Mumbai that the tender would be released after the Bihar elections.