THE DECISION to go on a "Work-to-Rule" by thermal engineers of Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd. (PSPCL) from tomorrow is against the decision of the PSPCL management to give very meagre hike of "Generation Incentive" - ignoring the recommendations of the committee - due to which there could be a shortfall in power generation in the state.

According to Bhupinder Singh General Secretary of PSEB Engineers Association,dDuring work to rule engineers will not handle or operate any equipment for which they are not specifically trained as per law and no equipment including generators shall be operated beyond rated capacity. The responsibility of Generation Loss due to 'Work to Rule' agitation, would rest with the management of the company, which is following the policy of "Penny Wise Pound Foolish".

Although as per the policy of Punjab government, all allowances have been doubled but the committee, keeping all aspects in view, recommended a nominal increase of about 35-40% in generation incentive and further agreed to a 10% cut in the generation incentive to continue as an austerity measure. However, the engineers were shocked to learn that PSPCL management in its meeting held on November 11, decided to allow increase of just 15-20%, playing a cruel joke on the thermal engineers.

It may be mentioned that Generation Incentive is the biggest single motivating factor for engineers and staff who perform arduous and risky nature of duties despite acute shortage of manpower and logistics. Such pittance offered in the shape of derogatory increase in the rightful remuneration like GI would demotivate and lower the morale of engineers.