BTPS chief engineer gheraoed by TGPE JAC leaders over YTPS privatisation move

Telangana Power Employees JAC leaders staged protests at BTPS in Kothagudem and KTPS in Paloncha against the privatisation of coal and ash handling plants at Yadadri Thermal Power Station. The unions accused TGGENCO management of reneging on assurances and finalising tenders for private firms without consultation.

Kothagudem: Telangana Power Employees JAC leaders gheraoed the BTPS chief engineer in protest against the privatisation of coal and ash handling plants at Yadadri Thermal Power Station (YTPS) in Nalgonda district.

In response to a call from the TGPE JAC central committee, Bhadradri Thermal Power Station (BTPS) chief engineer B Bichanna was gheraoed at his office chambers at Manuguru in Kothagudem on Friday by the JAC leaders holding placards and raising slogans.

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Speaking on the occasion, BTPS JAC convener B Ravi Prasad recalled that the TGGENCO management had previously assured them that any decision regarding YTPS privatisation would be taken only after consulting with JAC leaders.

However, an attempt was now being made to unilaterally hand over operations to private entities without consulting employee unions. Two GENCO directors had already signed the tender documents. An attempt was made on Thursday to secure the signature of another high-ranking official and if his signature was obtained, the tender would be awarded to private parties, he said.

Similarly at Kothagudem Thermal Power Station (KTPS) at Paloncha the KTPS V and VI stages employees staged a day-long dharna inside the chief engineer’s chambers. Speaking on the occasion, JAC leaders recalled that during a joint meeting held on August 29 assurances were given that the issue would be resolved within 15 days after discussions with the government.

Contrary to the assurance, the TGGENCO management has finalised the tender process and intends to award the contract to a private company, Power Mech, complained the JAC leaders Uma Maheswara Rao and M Srinivasa Rao.

State-wide protests were held at all power generation stations to express opposition to the management’s decision to complete the tender process without considering the demands raised by employee and labour unions.