Bifurcation of KSEB Office demanded

KOCHI: The Palluruthy KSEB section office, which covers Perumpadappu, Edakochi, Pullardasham and Kadayabhagam, demanded the division of the section citing insufficient staff and a wide operating area.The government’s model section policy has allotted 12 linemen, a sub-engineer each for revenue, breakdown and maintenance and an assistant engineer to each section, for all section offices including Palluruthy office. However, the strength of staff is proving inadequate for Palluruthy. The Palluruthy section spans a radius of around 12km and serves a population of over 25,000.Of the 12 linemen allotted to Palluruthy, two are involved in the revenue and have no connection with fixing power failure. Of the remaining, two are involved in maintenance works.Though, there are eight linemen to fix breakdowns, the night duty shifts take away two linemen each day, for two consecutive nights. This spares just four linemen for the day’s work. Surprisingly, this section also lacks an assistant engineer, putting extra load on the sub engineers.Ironically, the nearest section office at Mattanchery, which operates in the radius of 2km is manned by an assistant engineer. It serves a population of 15,000 only.In addition, an old house, rented by the government, serves as the Palluruthy KSEB section office. The house is in a deplorable state and lacks basic facilities, said the staff. Most of the times, the employees use personal bikes for official rounds of the area and the residents provide them with basic amenities like torches for night duty.When asked, the chief engineer managing Palluruthy KSEB section said, ”The trade unions and workers had agreed upon the operations of the model section. It is true that Palluruthy and some other sections like Palarivattom are under-staffed. We are working towards further dividing sections into two or three. Though, it might take some time.” He added, ”Some offices have sufficient facilities owing to the initiatives taken by the staff. If approached, the government is ready to provide funds for better facilities.”