Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has warned of strict action against officers lobbying for plum postings with the aim of minting money. In a letter addressed to superintendent engineer-level officers, the PSPCL top brass has warned against the corrupt system wherein officers are in cahoots with certain elements to “accept bribes” and manage particular postings.
In a letter shot to all senior officers in PSPCL, Chief Managing Director Baldev Singh Sran has urged his officers to “maintain high standards of integrity and efficiency”. The letter, dated December 17, reveals that “many officers are approaching the management to get plum postings, particularly in purchase, material inspection or field postings in industrial areas, etc. This inappropriate behaviour clearly establishes their inclination towards corruption,” mentions Sran.
The letter highlights how consumers, suppliers and contractors are being harassed to extract money or illegal favours thereby tarnishing the image of the company. “There are reports that juniors are being harassed by their superiors to indulge in dishonest behaviour. In such cases the subordinates can directly write or seek appointment with directors or even meet me personally,” it states.
Sources say that PSPCL officers have been stooping too low to get “money-minting postings” and the past records establish the facts. More than 5,000 officers have been transferred in the past five years, while 900 transfer orders were issued in 2016 alone. Information gathered by The Tribune revealed that during 2015 an all-time record 319 transfer orders, involving over 1,600 engineers, were issued, whereas 175 transfer orders, involving over 1,000 officers, were issued during 2014. While 210 transfer orders shifting 1,100 officers were issued during 2013, 207 transfer orders shifting around 1,100 officers were issued in 2012.
Insiders claim that the certain officers close to politicians have been using political clout to pressurise the management to get a plum posting. “Every day there are two to three senior top engineer-level officers and many in the junior ranks who approach the directors for transfers for particular posts. The current management has now decided not to entertain such requests as it spoils the work culture as middlemen mint money,” they said.
The CMD has clearly warned that “adverse notice will also be taken of reporting and reviewing officers who fail to properly assess the integrity of the officials while recording reports”. “Annual Confidential Reports from now onwards will be cleared and marked carefully and a separate mechanism has been set to assess the performance of officers at all levels,” read the excerpts from the letter.