Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has raised concerns over the concentration of roles in Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) and Punjab Transmission Corporation Limited (Transco), both autonomous bodies meant to function independently. Justice Harpreet Singh Brar questioned why an IAS officer was simultaneously heading both corporations while also serving as the Principal Secretary (Power) to the Government of Punjab.
Questioning Dual Roles of IAS Officer
Justice Brar asked the State Chief Secretary to clarify whether the Chairman-cum-Managing Director posts of PSPCL and Transco were cadre posts for IAS officers. If not, the court sought an explanation on the procedure through which IAS officers were being deputed to head these autonomous entities.
The concern arose during hearings on a set of petitions filed against PSPCL and other respondents, represented by senior advocate Amit Jhanji, counsel Manu K. Bhandari, and HC Arora. Advocate Gurnoor Singh Sethi appeared on behalf of PSPCL.
Transfer and Absorption of Personnel Under Scrutiny
The Bench highlighted that the Punjab government had an obligation to constitute a committee to oversee the transfer and absorption of personnel from PSPCL to Transco. “However, the State significantly faltered in implementing the scheme meaningfully, failing to constitute a committee to monitor all transfer and absorption-related issues,” the court observed.
The Bench noted that transfers and absorptions were being carried out in an arbitrary manner, raising concerns of nepotism and favoritism. The court had previously observed that the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) was unbundled 12 years ago, yet personnel transfer and absorption issues remain unresolved.
Background: Unbundling of PSEB
PSEB was bifurcated into PSPCL and Transco, and the Punjab government issued the Punjab Power Sector Reforms Transfer Scheme on April 16, 2010. The scheme was designed to facilitate the transfer of functions, assets, rights, liabilities, and personnel of the erstwhile PSEB. It granted the State the authority to finalize personnel transfers from PSPCL to Transco and ensure permanent absorption.
Justice Brar directed the State to file an affidavit explaining why a timeline was not fixed for completing the transfers or for constituting the required committee.
Affidavit by IAS Officer Raises Questions
Affidavits were filed by Ajoy Kumar Sinha, IAS, who currently serves as the Chairman-cum-Managing Director of both PSPCL and Transco, as well as Principal Secretary of the Department of Power. Justice Brar noted, “Admittedly, PSPCL as well as Transco are autonomous bodies empowered to conduct business without external interference. Interestingly, the same officer heads both PSPCL and Transco while performing duties as Principal Secretary to the Government of Punjab.”
The court has directed the Chief Secretary to file a detailed affidavit addressing these concerns.
