Report of Indian Institute of Public Administration ... - Ministry of Power

Gujarat
• The transfers of the personnel from GEB to first transferee or to second
transferee shall be subject to the following:
i) Emoluments and other monetary benefits applicable on transfer shall not in
any way be less favourable than those applicable before the transfer;
ii) The personnel will have continuity of service in the first or second
transferee; and
iii) The benefits of service accrued before transfer will be recognised and
appropriately provided for to secure the interest of the personnel.
FORMATION OF FOUR DISTRIBUTION COMPANIES
The erstwhile GEB had five zones, viz., North, Central, South, West I and West II,
each with a number of circle offices attached to it. In forming the distribution
companies the same zonal areas with the same circles attached to each zone have been
designated as new distribution companies (DISCOMs). As a result, North Zone has
now become UGVCL, Central Zone is now MGVCL, South Zone is now DGVCL and
West I and West II Zones have been merged into one company, PGVCL. With this,
majority of the staff working in the distribution sector in individual circles continued
to work in the same circle though under a new company instead of earlier zone, thus
totally avoiding any possible grievances on account of relocation.
SIGNING OF TRIPARTITE AGREEMENT
The most noteworthy feature of the exercise is total and active support GEB could
muster from its staff for its restructuring. With reform agenda of the State Government
and enactment of ‘Gujarat Electricity Industry (Reorganisation and Regulation) Act,
2003’, unions and associations in GEB expressed apprehensions that if their services
were privatised, there would be adverse impact on their service conditions, and likely
retrenchments resulting in loss of employment. Though Government of Gujarat/GEB
had from time to time declared that such apprehensions were unfounded, from the
viewpoint of ensuring smooth implementation of the policy and allay fears of the
employees, Government of Gujarat, GEB and recognised unions and associations of
GEB signed a tripartite agreement. This agreement is the cornerstone of the success
story. Hence, salient points of this agreement are noted below:
• Government of Gujarat/GEB confirmed that the status/service conditions in the
new entities would not be inferior to those prevailing under GEB. Efforts would
be made to rationalise the conditions to provide for career growth and welfare
9.5