MoESD implements Reskilling Training Programs for Retrenched Employees of PHPA-I

Owing to the substantial completion of the project works, the PHPA-I had retrenched about 244 employees w.e.f. 31.8.2022 who were mainly in the categories of Helpers, Peons, Computer Operators, Sweepers, UDCs/LDCs, Work Supervisors, etc. among others.

Given this unavoidable situation and the plight of those employees, His Excellency Lyonpo Loknath Sharma, Minister for Economic Affairs (now Energy & Mineral Resources), who is also the Chairman of Punatsangchhu-I Hydroelectric Project Authority (PHPA-I), in collaboration with Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD), has explored for skilling programs in September 2022 with erstwhile MoLHR and provided opportunities for those retrenched employees to learn new income-generating skills to help them sustain their livelihoods.

His Excellency Lyonpo Loknath Sharma

His Excellency Lyonpo Loknath Sharma, Hon’ble Minister of Economic Affairs and Chairman of PHPA-I visited the Project on 21st December 2022. He also visited Powerhouse and reviewed the ongoing works.

The Punatsangchhu-I Hydroelectric Project held its 23rd Authority meeting on November 24, 2022. The meeting was held in Thimphu, Bhutan.

Shri Alok Kumar, Secretary (Power), GoI accompanied by the HE Ambassador of India to Bhutan, the Joint Secretary (North), the Joint Secretary (Hydro) and other delegates briefly visited the Punatsangchhu-1 Project site on 30.10.2022. The delegation was received at Dochula by both MDs of PHPA-I and PHPA-II on 29.10.2022.

Besides the Powerhouse, the delegates also visited the Dam site and the proposed Barrage site while returning to Thimphu