Power staff from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh come to blows

Hyderabad: Power sector employees from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh almost came to blows in front of Justice Dharmadhikari who convened a meeting to take the opinion of senior officials from both the states on the fate of 1,253 employees relieved by the TS government on the basis of their nativity.

Leaders of Telangana electricity engineers association (TEEA) and Andhra Pradesh state electricity board (APSEB) engineers association entered into a heated argument in front of Justice Dharmadhikari with the latter alleging that one of their members (power sector employee) was manhandled and pushed to the ground by TEEA supporters.

Tense situation prevailed at the star hotel where Justice Dharmadhikari’s meeting was taking place. Sparks flew as association leaders of TEEA N. Sivaji and APSEB’s Veda Vyas exchanged heated words. Trouble started when Justice Dharmadhikari sought the opinion of employees from both states on extending the option facility. TS power sector employees said nativity should be the criteria and that they will not accept employees of AP nativity to work in Telangana power sector.

However, when their counterparts from AP maintained that seniority-wise option should be given, the TEEA leaders led by Mr Sivaji raised serious objection and a heated argument started, resulting in some pushing and jostling. However, TSGenco chairman and managing director D. Prabhakar Rao pacified both the groups.

Later, these groups submitted their representations to Justice Dharmadhikari committee. A 20-member women employees group also submitted a representation urging the Justice Dharmadhikari Committee to give option facility to them in view of their husbands working in private companies located in and around Hyderabad city.

Likewise, a delegation of TS employees working in AP power sector also submitted their representation. "The AP native employees are forgetting the fact that they cannot forcibly stay and work in Telangana. They have to work with us and need our cooperation," said TEEA president Mr Sivaji.

The Justice Dharmadhikari committee will meet again on Sunday. Senior officials of Genco, Transco and Discoms from TS and AP made their submissions before the committee. While TS insisted on nativity, AP said option should be given to
employees to choose their place of work.