Centre's ad-hoc approach affecting employees' morale

SHILLONG, March 11: The ad-hocism practised by the Centre in appointing the Chairman-cum-Managing Director of the Northeastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) has adversely affected the morale of the employees as also the functioning of the Corporation. The pioneer infrastructure development organisation of the north eastern region in the field of power generation has been functioning without a regular CMD since November 1 last year following the retirement of P K Kotoky. The Director (Finance) of the Corporation, PK Chatterjee, who was holding the additional charge of the post of CMD, also retired on February 28 after a period of only four months. Continuing the ad-hocism, the Ministry of Power, after a lot of dilly-dallying, has finally appointed Anil Razdan, Joint Secretary in the Ministry to the post of CMD, in addition to his normal duties. He assumed charge at New Delhi on March 2, which itself is most unusual. In fact, the ad-hocism in appointment of the NEEPCO chief has spanned three years. Kotoky had actually retired in April, 1998, since when he received four extensions-first for twelve months, followed by for three months, then another nine months extension and finally a six-month extension. NEEPCO is the mainstay of power generation for the entire region catering to nearly 50 per cent of its requirement with an installed capacity of 700 MW. It is feared that the scheduled commissioning of the 405-MW Ranganadi hydel project in September this year may slip owing to the Centre's ad-hocism in appointing the chief executive. The crucial Hoz-Doimukh road construction has already slipped owing to non-payment to Border Roads Organisation, which has been entrusted the work. The transport of the 90-MT transformer for the project is linked to the commissioning of this road. Further, payments for major works of the project like tunnel, dam, power house, are all pending which may again delay the 135-MW x 3 units project. The work of the 60-MW Tuirial hydel project in Mizoram is similarly feared to be delayed. What is worse, the Director (Technical), S B Dey, will be completing his five-year contract later this month while the Director, Personnel will be laying down charge by June this year.