Energy Department to Initiate Recruitment Drive to Address Staff Shortage – Gottipati

Energy Department to Initiate Recruitment Drive to Address Staff Shortage – Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar

Amaravathi: The Hon’ble Minister for Energy, Shri Gottipati Ravikumar, has clarified that the State Government will soon initiate the recruitment process to address staff shortages in the Electricity Department, with the approval of Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu. Responding to questions raised in the Legislative Council on Thursday by Members Shri Alapati Rajendra Prasad, Ms. Kavali Greeshma, and Shri B.T. Naidu, the Minister stated that adequate staffing at the field level is essential to ensure quality and uninterrupted power supply across the State. 

Minister Gottipati informed the House that nearly 18,000 personnel are currently working through outsourcing and contract modes to support uninterrupted power supply and restoration works. The Department is taking continuous steps to reduce power interruptions, strengthen regular maintenance, and improve voltage stability. The government remains committed to delivering 24x7 quality power supply to consumers.

The Minister further stated that 5,580 Secretariat Energy Assistants available across the State are being provided specialized training under the supervision of the Energy Department. Training is being conducted through the Center of Excellence in Visakhapatnam, with the objective of effectively utilizing their services. Once these Energy Assistants are fully integrated into the Department’s operations, over 77 percent of existing vacancies are expected to be addressed.
He also announced that the recruitment process for Assistant Engineers (AEs) will commence shortly. A decision regarding the recruitment of Linemen will be taken at an appropriate time. Meanwhile, available contract and outsourcing personnel are being effectively deployed to ensure there are no disruptions in meeting field-level power requirements.

RDSS Works Worth ₹8,000 Crore Underway

Minister Gottipati Ravi kumar highlighted that works under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) are being implemented at a cost of ₹8,000 crore to ensure high-quality and uninterrupted power supply. Through feeder-level bifurcation, agricultural feeders are being separated to avoid disruptions in rural power supply. He noted that 75 percent of the works have already been completed, and efforts are underway to achieve 100 percent completion by April next year.

Additionally, in cyclone-prone areas such as Visakhapatnam, underground cabling systems are being established to prevent damage during extreme weather conditions. The Minister emphasized that during cyclones and floods, Electricity Department personnel discharge their duties beyond regional and DISCOM boundaries. He cited instances in Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada, where staff worked round the clock to restore power within 24 hours, ensuring minimal inconvenience to the public. The Energy Department continues to move forward with a strong commitment to strengthening infrastructure, improving service quality, and ensuring reliable power supply across the State.