Tirupati: Andhra Pradesh Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (APSPDCL) in the erstwhile Chittoor district has decided to recover amounts related to unfinished works from assistant engineers (AEs) who fail to close these works.
The action comes in response to a delay in closing 10,900 work orders worth ₹51 crore, pending since April 2022.
In the erstwhile Chittoor district, a total of 78 AEs have been asked to close the work orders taken up by them. Authorities decided to take action when they did not do so.
Orders to recover amounts from the AEs’ salaries had been issued in May, but could not be implemented due to technicalities. Now, fresh orders have been issued to deduct the salaries of AEs concerned from October.
SPDCL officials explained that when works are to be implemented within the zone, preliminary estimates are prepared, listing the necessary equipment. Once approvals are obtained from DEs and AEs concerned, authorities green-light the orders. The equipment required is acquired from the district’s stores through work orders. These tasks encompass activities, such as erecting electric poles, service connections, laying lines and installation of transformers, among others. On completion of work, AEs are obligated to close the work orders by providing an account of the materials used and leftover.
However, in some instances, works get delayed or cancelled due to factors like land disputes, court cases or consumer-related issues. In such cases, Transco officials utilise the materials for other projects. Out of 90 AEs in the combined district, 78 have not closed their pending work orders from April 2022 to August 2023.
SPDCL authorities have also issued directives with regard to officers who have been transferred or promoted, but have not closed their pending work orders. Such AEs are now required to prioritise completion of their outstanding work orders on an urgent basis.
“The closure of work orders plays a key role in monitoring expenditure and tracking progress of works in the zone,” a senior official said. while emphasising the importance of promptly closing work orders, regardless of transfers or promotions.
“Failure in closing work orders will now lead to salary deductions, a measure implemented to ensure accountability and timely execution of tasks,” the senior official added.
