KPTCL contract engineers' fate hangs in balance

Their services have not been regularised even after four years of appointment. The KPTCL regularised the services of 1,425 assistant engineers and 1,020 junior engineers appointed on contract basis during 2003, 2005 and 2006. However, the 338 engineers appointed in 2007 (113 assistant engineers and 225 junior engineers) continue to serve on contract basis.  They blame the Corporation for adopting dual policy on the issue.

“We were recruited through competitive examination and interview. The government appointed 1,000 engineers directly in 2010, without conducting any interview and they get a salary of about 30,000 per month. On the other hand, we get Rs 8,000 (assistant engineers) and Rs 5,000 (junior engineers) per month of which about Rs 800 goes towards provident fund,” the engineers rued.

At the time of recruitment, the duration of service was stipulated at three years. However, the services have been continued till fifth year.

A few employees had approached the High Court claiming that regularisation of contract employees would jeopardise their promotions.

However, the Court dismissed the petition in May 2010 stating that there is no impediment to regularise the contract employees.

A memorandum was submitted to the then chief minister B S Yeddyurappa in June 2010 and the secretary to the chief minister had written to KPTCL managing director to regularise the services from 2008 itself.

There has been no further development since then. P Ravikumar, KPTCL managing director, told Deccan Herald that the Corporation had written to the government and awaiting a final word.