The Communist Party of India (Marxist)-backed officers' association of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) began an indefinite stir outside the Vydyuthi Bhavan here on Monday demanding the KSEB management to revoke the suspension of its office-bearers and shed its high-handed approach to employees.
Electricity Minister K. Krishnankutty, who is expected to reach the State capital on Tuesday, is likely to hold discussions soon with KSEB Chairman and Managing Director B. Ashok and the striking KSEB Officers' Association (KSEBOA).
Talking to The Hindu, Mr. Krishnankutty said no formal meetings had been decided so far, but added that the disputes would be settled at the earliest.
Following a half-day protest held on April 5 against the suspension of KSEBOA State office-bearer and executive engineer Jasmine Banu, the KSEB management had suspended the association's president M.G. Suresh Kumar and general secretary B. Harilal. Soon after, the KSEBOA had announced the indefinite protest.
The association also wants the KSEB management to correct its flawed policies which were vitiating the work environment in the KSEB.
IAS association writes to CM
Meanwhile, the Kerala IAS Officers' Association, which has Mr. Ashok as its president, has written to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan urging him to ensure an environment where organisational activities by the unions do not affect the morale of IAS officers.
The association cited the Kerala NGO Union stir at the Kozhikode Collectorate and the agitations at the KSEB as examples of incidents which “should be avoided’‘.
A healthy relationship between the IAS officers, who head the departments, and the organisations representing the employees is essential for the development of the State and the effective implementation of development projects, the association noted.
However, the morale of IAS officers were being affected by certain decisions of organisations which were coloured by “personal interests”, the association alleged.
