Latest news with #PekhubellaSolarPowerProject
Hindustan Times
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Vimal Negi was humiliated, threatened by senior officials: ACS report
The fact-finding report filed by additional chief secretary (home) Onkar Chand Sharma has pointed out that Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited chief engineer-cum-general manager Vimal Negi was humiliated and threatened by his senior officials. The report, submitted to the state government on April 8, claims that HPPCL director (electrical) Desh Raj had sent a threatening message -- 'aap problem mein aa jaoge (you will land in trouble)' to Negi in February this year. HT has accessed a copy of the report. The report says Negi was pressured to reduce the delay period in the Pekhubella Solar Power Project in Una from 45 days to 23 days. The report vindicates allegations made by the chief engineer's wife, Kiran Negi, that her husband was subjected to 'humiliation, ill treatment and harassment' for six months and was 'made to stand for hours with files and was not even offered a chair'. Desh Raj is named as an accused in the case. Vimal Negi joined the HPPCL corporate office on June 15, 2024, after promotion as chief engineer/general manager. The report said, 'There is evidence on record that Desh Raj used to humiliate and use unparliamentary and foul language towards late Vimal Negi. Almost all witnesses said Desh Raj's behaviour created a toxic environment.' In contradiction to Desh Raj's claim, in his statement to the ACS, that he had a friendly relationship with Negi, the report said, 'the conduct of Desh Raj was not appreciable under the circumstances.' In a press conference on Monday, chief minister Sukvinder Singh Sukhu said, 'A prescription slip shows Negi had sought treatment on July 1, 2024, for depressive illness.' Justice Ajay Mohan Goel, while handing over the probe to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on May 23, had said 'This court is of the view that the mode and manner in which the government dealt with the report of the additional chief secretary (home) raises serious questions.'
Indian Express
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Fact-finding probe into HPPCL engineer's death reveals toxic workplace, show-cause notice for casual leave, threat message
Inquiry by a fact-finding committee into allegations raised by the wife of HPPCL chief engineer Vimal Negi that he was being harassed at work has highlighted the humiliation he faced from senior officers, a show-cause notice issued for availing casual leave, a threatening message, and toxic workplace conditions, among others. The body of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) chief engineer Vimal Negi, who went missing on March 10, was found on March 18 at Bhakra Dam in Bilaspur district. His wife Kiran had alleged that Negi's seniors at work had harassed him over the last six months and demanded a CBI probe into his death, a request denied by the state government. The inquiry conducted by Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Onkar Sharma revealed a threatening message sent to Negi —'Aap problem mein aa jaoge (You will land in trouble)' — from the then director (electrical) Desh Raj in February, demanding that he reduce the delay in the Pekhubella Solar Power Project in Una from 45 to 23 days, besides the toxic work conditions for women employees at the HPPCL Corporate Office in New Shimla. Sharma submitted his report before Justice Ajay Mohan Goel of the Himachal Pradesh High Court on May 20. The findings were cited in the court's detailed order dated May 23, in which Justice Goel directed that the police investigation into the matter be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Speaking to reporters on Monday, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said: 'I had asked ACS Onkar Sharma to conduct a fact-finding inquiry into the allegations. When the officer submitted the report, I told him to once again confront the officials against whom allegations were raised by HPPCL employees.' Sharma, however, declined to re-examine the officers while replying to the state power secretary that he had been directed to conduct a fact-finding probe, and that cross-questioning or confrontation was appropriate only during a formal departmental inquiry. He submitted the report directly to the high court, bypassing the office of the Advocate General Anup Rattan. In his report, ACS Sharma noted: 'There is evidence on record that Desh Raj, director (Electrical), used to humiliate and use unparliamentary and foul language towards the late Vimal Negi. Almost all witnesses stated that Desh Raj's behaviour created a toxic environment at the HPPCL Corporate Office in Shimla. Employees submitted representations regarding the hostile work atmosphere, but no concrete action was taken by authorities.' Desh Raj, in his statement to the ACS, had claimed that he had a friendly relationship with Negi. However, the probe contradicted this claim. 'The conduct of Desh Raj is not appreciable under the circumstances,' the report noted. 'A public office is considered a second home, and mutual respect is essential. In this light, the treatment meted out to a senior officer like Vimal Negi was unwarranted, both by Desh Raj and then MD Harikesh Meena, IAS.' Referencing the testimony of Manish Chaudhary, DGM (electrical), the report stated: 'He was Member Secretary of the Extension of Time (EOT) Committee, chaired by Vimal Negi, to assess delays in the Pekhubella Solar Project. He and Negi were called by Desh Raj while finalising the draft proceedings of the Committee meeting held on February 27–28, 2025, and were pressured to reduce the delay period from 45 to 23 days. Desh Raj even threatened them, saying, 'Aap problem mein aa jaoge.'' While the inquiry confirmed that Negi had been served show cause notices even for taking casual leave, the ACS did not find evidence supporting the claim that leave was routinely denied. 'The deceased submitted a detailed reply explaining that he had to leave early for Rampur and had emailed at 6.15 am and called the Director (E) at 10 am. Even so, an explanation was demanded—reflecting non-cooperation. Moreover, the urgency for his presence in office on October 18, 2024, was not clarified in the notice,' the report said. Another troubling detail from the inquiry revealed that Desh Raj frequently summoned Negi from his second-floor office to the fifth floor, where he was made to stand for hours with files and was not even offered a chair. 'Witnesses further revealed that employees often worked 11 to 14 hours a day. Biometric records showed that women employees were present in the office even after 9 pm. While some women stated they didn't mind working late, they pointed to the lack of basic facilities like transportation.' The report pointed out that the then HPPCL Corporate Office Managing Director Harikesh Meena, when asked about the situation, stated: 'I am not aware as to what arrangement was available in HPPCL office for conveyance of lady officer who used to sit in the office late hours'. Similarly, Desh Raj, 'while being confronted during his examination qua the aforesaid situation stated that it was for the Estate Department to provide for transportation of lady officers,' the report stated. 'The tone and tenor of these two officers goes to show that they are hardly bothered about the well-being and safety of lady officers. Even these three officers, namely Harikesh Meena, IAS, Shivam Pratap Singh, IAS, and Desh Raj are not aware as to how long their subordinate employees remained seated in HPPCL, Corporate Office, Shimla,' it added. Regarding Negi's health, the report noted: 'Vimal Negi joined the HPPCL Corporate Office on June 15, 2024, upon promotion as Chief Engineer/General Manager. A prescription slip from Mahatma Gandhi Medical Service Complex, Khaneri, Rampur Bushahr, shows he sought treatment on July 1, 2024, at 11.44 am for depressive illness, with symptoms of depression and palpitations. It is unclear whether this condition predated his promotion or emerged afterward. He subsequently went on medical leave from July 1 to 22, 2024. This timeline merits further expert investigation.' After Negi's death, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered under charges of abetment to suicide. Desh Raj was suspended, and Harikesh Meena was transferred from HPPCL.
