2,000 new posts promised, reshuffle in motion—but silence on corruption and cost escalations raises eyebrows
Shimla, 21 April – Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today sounded the alarm bells on power losses and rampant electricity theft—but his high-level meeting on Monday ended up scratching the surface while leaving the deeper rot untouched mainly in HPPCL.
Chairing the review meet with top brass of the power sector, the CM ordered feeder metering, consumer mapping, and a full-blown data overhaul in HPSEBL to track and curb power theft.
But offical release didn't reveal data on how much these losses stand.
Is it industry sector or household consumers stealing electricity?
But even as he announced 2,000 new posts for T-mates and linemen, the ground reality remains that the electricity board is crippled by severe staff shortages, especially in divisions like Chopal, Rohru, Rampur and Theog in Shimla, and other districts such as Sirmaur, Solan, Mandi, Chamba and Kangra.
“These are not small gaps—they’re gaping holes in the system,” a senior engineer said off record.
“Linemen are overworked, poles are unattended, and rural feeders often go unmonitored for days.”
When villagers lodge complaints, pet answer is: we don't have staff.
Staff Shuffling, Not System Overhaul
The CM set an April 30th deadline for HPSEBL staff currently on deputation in other power bodies to choose whether they want to return.
Civil wing employees can shift to PWD. While this move may declutter roles, it still feels like reshuffling chairs on a sinking ship, critics say.
The CM remained mum on pressing issues like the long-stalled revamp of HPSEBL, release of pending subsidies, and the alleged corruption in the Pekhubela solar project and Shong-Tong under HPPCL—projects that’ve been under scanner for inflated costs and shady tendering that allegedly resulted in the mysterious death of HPPCL Chief Engineer Vimal Negi last March.
HP Power engineers bofy and BJP and family members have levelled serious allegations against the top officials and power that be.
Has he discussed the Onkar Chand Sharma inquiry report? Officials ate tight-lipped.
Shong-Tong: Another White Elephant?
The 450 MW Shong-Tong project in Kinnaur, marred by delays and alleged cost escalations, was briefly reviewed.
Sukhu set a deadline of November 2026 for its completion and directed officials to prepare power evacuation plans.
But there was no word on the project’s controversial past or accountability for missed timelines and ballooning budgets.
Transfers in Industrial Pockets
To tackle localised corruption, Sukhu ordered the transfer of officials who have overstayed in industrial zones.
While it’s a welcome step, many insiders believe frequent transfers can’t fix systemic rot without strong anti-corruption action.
What’s Missing?
The meeting was attended by top officials including HPSEBL Chairman Sanjay Gupta and Power Secretary Rakesh Kanwar.
But despite all the big talk, there was deafening silence on real reforms—no audit demands, no action on corruption, no timeline for subsidy release, and no announcement on how HPSEBL will be financially revived.
Bottomline: Sukhu’s talking tough, but unless he clears the cobwebs of corruption, pending dues and staff crunch, Himachal’s power sector will remain in the dark, say critics.
The state doesn't need just new posts and policy tweaks, it needs a full-blown cleanup.
