Public Relations Department

Public Relations, is a specialized profession, practiced by thousands of people around the World. Some companies have their own Public Relations department where as other hire Public Relations firms. The main job of Public Relations department in every organization is to build the positive image of organization.
Public Relations mean the eyes and ears of the Organization. Public Relations department of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (Erstwhile Punjab State Electricity Board) was set up in 1966 and made fully operational in 1975. Since then Public Relations department has been playing vital role for image building of PSPCL. Presently the department is under administrative control of Er. Sandeep Gupta Dy. Chief Engineer Tech to Director Administration. The department has personnel strength as below:

1. Harpreet Singh Aulakh, Deputy Secretary
2. Manmohan Singh, Under Secretary
3. Gopal Sharma, IPRO
4. Manjit Singh Chahal, IPRO

Sh. Baljit Singh, Sr. Assistant is looking after PR works of North.

With the objective to build the Positive Image of the PSPCL. From time to time Press conferences/ Interviews are being organized and Press notes issued by this department. The Public Relations office also undertakes publishing /airing/running advertisements of PSPCL through Punjab Government and the Publicity arrangements relating to the celebrations of Republic Day, Independence Day, Formation Day, Foundation/Inauguration ceremonies of various Sub Stations and Sports tournaments etc.

Since Year 2017 Public Relations department is operating 2 Whatsapp Groups for disseminating of important Press Clippings and vital information about Punjab Govt. and Power sector on day to day basis. Sh. Manmohan Singh Under Secretary is the group admin of both the Whatsapp Groups.

INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS DEPARTMENT

Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd./Punjab State Transmission Corporation Ltd. are vital organizations of the Punjab State. Industrial Relation Branch is playing an important role to maintain cordial relations between management and employees, and also supervising the implementation of Labour Laws under the able guidance of Er. Sardar Pardeep Singh Lotey S.E. Tech to Director Administration. PSPCL, Patiala through the following field officers:-

Sr. No.	Officer Name & Designation	Office Name
1	Sh. B.S.Gurm, Deputy Secy.	General Manager/Admn. (IR Section) Patiala
2	—	General Manager/Admn. (IR Section) Patiala
3	Sh Ranbir Singh, AM/IR	CE/Central Zone, PSPCL, Ludhiana.
4	Ms. Jasmine Kaur, CWO/AM/IR	CE/GGSSTP, PSPCL, Ropar.
5	Sh. Sarabjit Singh, AM/IR	CE/Central Zone, PSPCL, Ludhiana.
6	Sh. Vipin Kumar,CWO/ AM/IR	CE/GHTP, PSPCL,Lehra Mohhabat.
7	Smt. Sonika, AM/IR	CE/Border Zone, PSPCL, Amritsar.
8	Smt.Twinkle Sahota, AM/IR	EIC/Hydel, PSPCL, Patiala.
9	Smt.Jaschatan Kaur, AM/IR	CE/South Zone, PSPCL, Patiala.
10	Smt.Ranjit Kaur, AM/IR	CE/North Zone, PSPCL, Jalandhar.
11	Sh. Baldev Parkash, ALWO	SE/Op. Circle ,Sakti Sadan, PSPCL, Jalandhar.
12	Sh. Shivdeep Singh, ALWO	SE/DS Circle, PSPCL, Mukatsar.
13	Sh. T.J.S. Lamba, ALWO	Commercial Sub-Division-3, Partab Bag Lado Wali Road, PSPCL, Jalandhar.
14	Sh. Shukhbir Singh Sidhu, ALWO	Dy.CE/OP Circle, PSPCL, Barnala.
15	Sh. J.S. Brar (CWO Retd.) ALWO on contract basis	CE/GNDTP, PSPCL, Bathinda.
16	Sh. Jaspal Singh Chandi (CWO Retd.) ALWO on contract basis	SE/Suburban Circle, Makbulpur Road, PSPCL, Amritsar.
17	Sh Kanwar Swaraj ,LWO on contract basis	SE/DS Circle, PSPCL, Gurdaspur.
18	Sh. Fateh Chand, ALWO on contract basis	General Manager/Admn. (IR Section), Patiala

Industrial Relation Branch deals with implementation of various Labour Laws some of them are as under:-

Labour Court cases/Industrial Tribunal/Astt. Labour Commissioner cases:

At present this office is dealing with the Labour court cases of 6 No. labour Courts in Punjab and Industrial Tribunal/Asstt. Labour Commissioner Cases of Powercom/Transco under the kind control of above said officers throughout the Punjab.

Employees Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952.

This act is only applicable to the work charged, contingent, daily wagers and part time workers. Under the provisions of this act, Board contributes towards EPF employer’s contribution Fund equivalent to 12% of basic pay of the workers. The amount is deposited with the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner. The provisions of this act are applicable to the workers from the day one of their service drawing wages up to 6500/-PM. The instructions are issued from time to time to the field offices regarding implementation of the act ibid. The act provides many benefits to workers i.e Employees Deposit Linked Insurance, Employees Pension Scheme. The periodical inspections are carried out by the officers of this office to ensure that provisions of this act are complied with by all the covered unites.

Industrial Disputes Act, 1947

This act was enacted for speedy redressed of industrial disputes to ensure industrial Pease. Efforts were made to settle the industrial disputes amicably through conciliation machinery of the state provided under the Act. Many cases were settled mutually with the workers.

Employees State Insurance, 1948

This act is only applicable to the work charged, contingent, daily wagers working in units registered under the Factory Act-1948 which falls within the covered area declared by the State Govt. and drawing wages up to 15000/-PM. The Chief Welfare Officer, Asstt. Manager/IR , Labour Welfare Officers, Assistant Labour Welfare Officers of the Board are making sincere efforts for implementation of the Act, by ensuring provision of Medical facilities, Maternity Leave, compensation and are conducting periodical inspections in their respective area.

Factory Act-1948

This act is applicable to all such Sub Stations/Power Houses/Thermal Plants where more than 10 workers are employed and ME Laboratories/Workshops where more than 20 workers are employed. To get this act implemented Chief Welfare Officer, Asstt. Manager/IR & Labour Welfare Officer has been appointed. Over time is being paid to the factory workers as per provisions of this Act. Maternity benefits and leave facilities are also being provided to the female workers. Safety officer has been appointed where 1000 or more workmen are employed. Similarly, Canteens have been provided for 250 or more workers and a Medical Officer has been employed for every 500 workers.

Payment of Gratuity Act-1972

The provisions of the Act were applicable to the PSEB regular employees as well as the work-charged employees and remained in force from the date of commencement i.e. 25.8.1973. We succeeded in getting exemption retrospectively i.e. from the date of its enforcement vide Govt. Notification dated 8.1.2004.
Efforts were made to resolve Union disputes and demands at local level through our field staff (ALWOs) by involving them in meetings being held by field officers from time to time.
Instructions were issued to the field officers that all the cases where disciplinary action is required to be taken against the erring employees should be referred to the ALWO of the area or if some retrenchment is to be effected, the case should be discussed with the ALWO of the area and his written advice should be sought. This is likely to reduce the pendency of labour court cases and wherever employees have resorted to litigation, proper defence from the Board’s side can be ensured. As the field officers generally do not follow the instructions issued in this regard from this office, this step will bind the concerned officers to take any disciplinary action only after clearance from the Industrial Relations Section.

Subject

Works and responsibilities of Deputy Secretary/Welfare & Grievances.
Deputy Secretary/Grievances & Welfare, under the over all control of G.M/Administration manages the work of two sections and brief description about the same is as under:-

GRIEVANCES SECTION

This Section looks after the public complaints received from different sources. Some complaints are addressed directly to some authorities of the PSPCL while the others are addressed to different authorities of the Govt. like Governor, Chief Minister, Ministers and Vigilance Bureau etc. These complaints are received in PSPCL through Secretary Power, Punjab.

The complaints received are got investigated from different authorities. Anonymous complaints are ignored. Complaints where request is made for one or the other action are passed on to field officers for suitable action. Complaints where investigation is required are passed on to concerned Chief Engineer and suitable track is maintained till the same are brought to logical conclusion. Complaints of serious nature are got investigated through Vigilance of PSPCL Wherever any employee is found responsible, suitable disciplinary action is taken against him.
The Grievances Cell is headed by one Superintendent Grade-I and 3 Senior Assistants with suitable supporting staff.

IVRS

Besides it, the online complaint facility has been also started since 2012, any consumer/employee can lodge his/her complaint through departmental website on GRMS portal. Requisite reply after Redressal could be checked through respective complaint ID No.
AE/IVRS has been deputed to attend the on line complaints.
IVRS Telephone Nos. 0175 2218095 and 0175 2218096.

WELFARE SECTION

This Section looks after the works related to different Associations of PSPCL Employees and Kissan Unions. Memorandum and demand charters received from different unions is process by Welfare Section and wherever needed meetings are got arranged with different authorities of the PSPCL. After meetings, their minutes are prepared and circulated to concerned sections of the PSPCL for action as decided. A suitable follow up is maintained till finalization of action on the decision taken in different meetings.

At present 48 number major Unions of employees besides many other Unions of Farmers, retirees etc. are existing with whom the Welfare Section is to deal from time to time.

Recently PSPCL has framed ‘Productivity Council’ consisting of members from Management and Trade Unions. First meeting of this Council was held on 10.01.2007 during which very encouraging response was received and it was decided that regular track of proposals received and suggestions made be kept to make it an important wing for overall welfare of the PSPCL. A separate cell for the work of ‘Productivity Council’ is under creation. However, for the time being, its work is being looked after by the Welfare Section.

In addition to the above, a Standing Committee on Union matters consisting of Director/Administration, Director/D, and G.M./Administration with Deputy Secretary/Grv. & Welfare as convener has been formed to take care of demands and problems of the Employees’ Unions. This Committee works under overall guidance of Chairman-cum-Managing Director.