PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
Dehradun district magistrate Savin Bansal has prohibited any kind of protest within a 200-metre radius of the Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) headquarters, citing concerns over potential disruption to essential services and public inconvenience. The directive follows ongoing reports of a strike by junior engineers of the corporation and incidents of unrest at the corporation’s head office.
Bansal said that according to a letter from the deputy chief personnel officer of the corporation, members of the association gathered in large numbers at the headquarters earlier this month, raising slogans and creating tension by engaging in verbal abuse, physical scuffles and obstructive behaviour. These actions led to disruptions in departmental work and prevented staff and officers from entering the premises freely.
Taking cognisance of the situation, the DM summoned the superintendent engineer of the UPCL and instructed that electricity supply to the general public must remain unaffected. He ordered close monitoring of the attendance of engineers and emphasised on the enforcement of discipline under service rules. In case of deliberate disruption of electricity supply, the DM directed authorities to take action under the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA).
The administration has informed the Power department of its responsibilities toward the public and reminded it of the government’s legal powers. The police and city magistrate have been instructed to enforce the ban on protests within the designated zone and to file FIRs against violators.
The DM also directed the deployment of police personnel at the headquarters to prevent further disturbance. He reiterated that essential services cannot be withheld from the public and that any attempt to create a power problem will be addressed through immediate administrative measures. The district control room will remain active round the clock and officers have been asked to respond promptly to any complaints related to electricity supply.
Bansal further stated that the administration will ensure continued power supply and will not allow women, children or senior citizens in the district to face a power crisis. No employee group has the strength to deprive the public of essential services and that the administration is fully aware of both its responsibilities and powers, he added.
