Shimla
There is anger among the employees including the family members over the suspicious death of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) Chief Engineer Vimal Negi. On Wednesday, common people including employees protested in Bilaspur, Shimla and Kinnaur. In Bilaspur, the employees protested against the management outside AIIMS and demanded justice. On the other hand, the employees blocked the road and protested for four hours with the body of Vimal Negi outside the HPCCL office located at BCS in Shimla. On the other hand, a protest rally was also taken out in Kinnaur and the employees have announced a two-day pen down strike.
On the other hand, the government has ordered an inquiry into the case of Vimal Negi’s death under suspicious circumstances. Additional Chief Secretary Home Omkar Sharma has been entrusted with the responsibility of investigation. At the same time, the government has relieved IAS officer Harikesh Meena from the post of MD of Power Corporation. Director Electrical Desraj has also been removed from the post and suspended. Director Energy Rakesh Prajapati has been given the additional charge of Managing Director of Power Corporation.
At the same time, Director Civil Surendra Kumar has been given the charge of Director Electrical. Additional Chief Secretary Home Omkar Sharma will talk to the affected family and the employees of the Power Corporation and submit the investigation report to the government in 15 days. Omkar Sharma will also investigate the credibility of the allegations against Harikesh Meena and Desraj.
On the instructions of Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, orders for investigation were issued by the Personnel and Energy Department on Wednesday evening. On Wednesday morning, the Chief Minister had said in the Assembly House that the case of the death of Chief Engineer Vimal Negi should be investigated by an officer of the level of Additional Chief Secretary. In the afternoon, after the BCS office of Power Corporation in Shimla, the family members and employees demonstrated and demanded the suspension of Managing Director Meena and Director Desraj. In this regard, the government took a big decision on Wednesday evening and removed both the officers, who were facing various allegations, from their posts. Both the officers have also been barred from entering the Power Corporation office till further orders. Senior officials said that a police investigation is going on in the case of the death of engineer Vimal Negi. Senior officials have also been accused. In such a situation, the investigation has been handed over to the Additional Chief Secretary Home to check the truth.
There should be a thorough investigation of the circumstances surrounding the death of Vimal Negi: United Front
The United Front of engineers and employees of the State Electricity Board has demanded a thorough investigation of the circumstances surrounding the death of Chief Engineer Vimal Negi. In a letter submitted to Chief Minister Sukhu on Wednesday, United Front convenor Lokesh Thakur and co-convenor Hiralal Verma said that before going missing, engineer Vimal Negi was facing a lot of stress at the workplace. He was reportedly working till late night and was expressing concern about the work environment in the Power Corporation. His family has alleged that he faced undue pressure and a non-conducive environment at work, which may have contributed to his tragic end. The United Front said that the incident has caused widespread concern among power board employees. In such a situation, there should be a fair investigation into this matter. Emphasis should also be laid on the need to remove stress at the workplace and improve the organizational environment to prevent such tragedies in future. The United Front officials have also appealed to Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur for cooperation.
