The Chief Executive Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) Dr Muhammad Amjad on Tuesday stunned the Senate Standing Committee on Power by revealing that 0.750 million jobless people from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) have applied against 3200 vacancies in the power utility.
He was responding to questions by the Standing Committee headed by Senator Fida Muhammad during discussions on slow development work in Pesco's jurisdiction.
Dr Amjad informed the committee that the workforce in Pesco is almost half of the actual requirements and now the federal government has allowed the company to fill 3200 vacant critical positions. However, he shocked the committee members by stating that 7.5 lakh people have applied against these vacancies.
He further informed the committee that the federal government has disallowed outside funding to Discos and has directed that it generates its own resources to invest on different schemes/projects.
The issue of power theft in the province also came under discussion and Additional Secretary Power Division, Munir Azam, mentioned a few areas including Charsada and pockets of Peshawar where hooks (Kundas) are still being used to steal electricity. However, Secretary Power, Irfan Ali is actively pursuing the Discos to remove these hooks, he added.
Senator Siraj-ul-Haq stated that the influential people of his area replace their faulty transformers by procuring such transformers from tribal areas and use them illegally. Senator Fida Muhammad in a meeting held on Tuesday took strict notice of construction work during peak season, instead of in winters when electricity demand is low.
While discussing TESCO projects, it was noted that no qualitative workshops were available in tribal areas and that for things to progress, it was imperative that a system be formulated to maintain checks and balances. TESCO officers informed the Committee, that work is in progress to achieve goals with the process of removing illegal transformers installed privately at homes ongoing. The Committee also took notice of private projects exceeding government schemes. Just 17 HT Feeders were installed in comparison to 37 Deposit Works. The Committee recommended that all workshops that have the capacity to cater to needs to such areas must be engaged. While evaluating Pesco's circle projects in the last one year, the Committee was informed that lack of personnel and funds were two major issues that plagued Pesco's performance. Chairman Committee sought details in the next meeting.
Discussing details of 132 KV Grid Stations constructed at various locations by PESCO during the last one year the Committee was informed that 16 projects were completed, six were under progress and six new plans were due to commence. The Committee was informed that all new projects were subject to availability of funds.
Discussing the projects and performance of Iesco Chairman Committee Senator Fida Muhammad directed CEO Iesco to present circle wise details of projects in the next meeting.
During the briefing regarding regularization of service of Iesco's contingent/ad hoc/contractual employees hired since 2014 Chairman Committee Senator Fida Muhammad stressed the need to give them priority. He said that placing an advertisement for new positions without adjusting previous recruitment was a gross violation of rights. The Ministry assured that it would look into the matter. The Committee stressed the need for formulation of policy for daily wage earners.
Besides others, Senator Siraj ul Haq, Senator Molvi Faiz Muhammad, Senator Dr Ghous Muhammad Khan Niazi and senior officers of IESCO, Tesco, Pesco and the Ministry of Power along with all concerned attended the meeting.
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