Bhubaneswar, Dec 2: The TP Central Odisha Distribution Limited (TPCODL), a Tata Power and Odisha government joint venture, has spelt out the steps initiated on the issues relating to its existing and retired employees. It has appealed its employees to cooperate with the management to maintain harmonious industrial relations.

“We have strongly recommended to the state Energy department to declare our employees working in fields as equivalent to COVID Warriors and the decision of the Government is awaited. In the meantime, as preventive measures such as wearing masks, sanitization of office premises, maintaining social distancing, frequent hand washing and provision of sanitizers, functioning office on rotation basis etc are being implemented and strictly monitored in the corporate office as well as field offices. Employment has also been given to the spouse of the deceased “, said General Manager (HR) of TPCODL.

” We are always open to further share and discuss with you any issue preferably through virtual meeting keeping in view the abundant precautions we all are supposed to take during the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic”, he said.

During 2019-2020 financial year, 220 pension papers were received and out of these, 212 were sanctioned and balance 8 are pending due to some discrepancies in pension papers and the same has been forwarded to the concerned Division/Circle for rectification. During April to October, 2020, 129 pension papers have been received out of which 89 have already been sanctioned and paid to the retired employees. Balance 40 are now under process and will be finalized shortly.

Meanwhile, two Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) meetings have been conducted for executive cadre and around 70 executives got promotion. Necessary action and circulars have also been issued to conduct the trade test and promotion of the technical non-executive employees at circles/divisions respectively and many technical non-executives have already been promoted. Circular has already been issued to the field units inviting applications from existing employees to work in commerce/enforcement/ project departments and against other new openings.

TPCODL will strengthen the existing organization structure year by year and continuously provide opportunities to all its employees to grow. TPCODL also has plan to enhance the competency of existing employees through training programs on technical, commercial, managerial, leadership, finance etc.

“Recruitments in TPCODL are fair, transparent and carried out strictly as per rules and on merit. Contractual and outsourced personnel regularization is dealt as per the judgement passed by the Apex Court in Secretary, State of Karnataka & other Vs Umadevi & others (20064 SCC-I). TPCODL also follows the guidelines of OERC (Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission) for manpower augmentation”, added the senior official.