Patna, Dec. 27: Bihar State Electricity Board officials organised a rally in front of the office today to protest against the board’s recent decision to outsource work, like power supply and distribution management system for 11KV feeders in rural areas and management of provident fund (PF).

The rally was organised under the banner of Bihar-Jharkhand Rajya Vidyut Parishad Field Kamgar Union.

Amrendra Prasad Mishra, general secretary of the union, said: “We have gathered here to protest against the board’s decision to privatise power supply distribution in rural areas through outsourcing. We are also protesting against the management of PF, which has been outsourced from the board to the regional PF commissioner. Our struggle would continue till the board accepts our demands. We have also decided to hold a state-level demonstration on February 10 and a state-level protest march on March 29.”

The board recently decided to outsource the work of power supply and distribution management system for 11KV feeders in rural areas by appointing franchisees to check the increasing transmission and distribution loss and pilferage of energy.

At present, there are around 245 11KV feeders in urban and 12 11KV feeders in rural areas functioning across the state. The board has decided to invite tenders for appointment of franchisees in remaining rural areas.

The franchisees would distribute the bills, metre readings, revenue collection, maintenance of low-tension lines and attending fuse-off calls in rural areas.

These franchisees would ensure all the connections are billed and the revenue collected deposited at the board’s office or its account within a specified time on a regular basis.

Mishra, opposing the board’s move to outsource the PF money management to the regional PF commissioner, said it would create problems for the employees in getting their PF money as they would have to make rounds of other offices to get their money.

Mishra demanded if the board fails to implement all the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission, it should accept the recommendation of giving 44 per cent grade pay to the employees.

Mishra also said the board should immediately take back its decision to deduct the two increments which the employees, including the officers, get for clearing the computer literacy test.

He added the board should also restore the three increments, which the employees were getting for clearing the departmental examination.

The posts of junior engineer, assistant engineer, accounts officer, assistant law officer, law superintendent and labour welfare officer should be immediately filled, Mishra said.