DVC workforce unite to oppose Roychowdhury model for revival

The Damodar Valley Corporation employees across the board have decided to oppose the revival plan mooted by the chairman for the state-run entity, a workers’ union said.

“A joint forum of all unions of workers and officers from the level of directors have united to oppose the plans of Arup Roychowdhury that will doom the organisation,” DVC Sramik Union general secretary Jiban Aich told PTI here.

Unions alleged that that Roychowdhury was planning to hive off the company’s main revenue-earner, the industrial transmission system, to West Bengal and move out of water management activity.

Stating that the joint forum would be known as DVC Unnayan Committee, Aich said, “Henceforth we will fight from this platform.” “Director technical and systems is also part of this forum. We all are united to save the organisation,” an officer declining to be quoted, said.

Unions individually wrote to the prime minister, Election Commission, Central Vigilance Commission and central labour commissioner seeking their intervention to stop the alleged move. Sources said, a meeting on April 28 was scheduled by Roychowdhury with West Bengal, Jharkhand, central additional secretary (thermal) to bring a consensus to take forward his restructuring plan, but it was deferred after hue and cry by DVC employees.

Unions wondered why Roychowdhury was trying to take decisions in haste when a full time chairman had been decided on and an announcement would be made after the elections. Roychowdhury had said that any restructuring of the company would require the approval of stakeholders and the Government of India.