Telangana HC directs review of power utility promotions since 2014

The Telangana High Court has directed electricity utilities to review all promotions granted since June 2014 and complete the process within six months. The order, issued on petitions by BC and OC employees' associations, comes amid disputes over seniority and reservation following the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.

By Our Legal Correspondent 

Hyderabad: Justice Nagesh Bheemapaka of the Telangana High Court  directed the electricity utility managements to review all promotions granted since June 2, 2014, and complete the exercise within six months. The direction covers Telangana Transco, Genco, Southern Power Distribution Company and the Northern Power Distribution Company.

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The order came in petitions filed by employees’ associations representing BC and OC employees, who challenged the manner in which promotions and consequential seniority had been dealt with in the electricity utilities. 

The dispute arose after the formation of Telangana when several employees were granted conditional promotions. Following subsequent litigation concerning employees allocated from the erstwhile State of Andhra Pradesh, the promotions granted to a large number of Telangana employees were cancelled, leading to reversions and prolonged disputes over seniority and reservation. 

The Court directed that the promotions be reviewed in the light of the principles laid down by the Division Bench in State of Telangana v. S. Prakash. The managements were directed to consider the cases of BC and OC employees who were deprived of promotions while undertaking the review. At the same time, the Court made it clear that employees who may be adversely affected by the proposed review cannot be displaced without being given an opportunity to put forth their case. 

The Court also permitted the review of the judgment rendered in the 2019 proceedings initiated by the OC Employees’ Association and closed the pending contempt proceedings against the CMDs of the electricity utilities. The matter has been posted to February 18, 2027 for further hearing.