CHANDIGARH: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Board of Directors of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) to examine and decide the appeal of the Chief Engineer of Ropar Thermal Plant within two months, issuing a detailed and reasoned order. The court also clarified that since the suspension was ordered by the Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD), he must not participate in the decision-making on the appeal. The petitioner has been allotted one week to file his appeal before the Board.
The Chief Engineer argued that he has served the organisation for over 34 years with an unblemished record and asserted that the CMD was not the competent authority to suspend an officer of his rank. He claimed the November 1 suspension order violated prescribed procedures and appeared predetermined. He further maintained that the allegations were unfounded, as he had no role in fuel price fixation or procurement matters.
He added that comparing fuel consumption and cost parameters of Ropar’s sub-critical thermal unit with advanced super-critical units was technically inaccurate and an unjust basis for suspension. PSPCL, meanwhile, informed the court that the petitioner had an available statutory remedy under the Punishment and Appeal Regulations, 1971, and assured that his appeal would be decided within a month if submitted.
The PSEB Engineers Association criticised the suspension as arbitrary, alleging that essential technical data was overlooked and questioning the CMD’s eligibility for the post. Several retired engineers have also sought an impartial probe, calling the suspension unjust and unlawful.