Thiruvananthapuram: A recent decision to slash as many as 5,615 posts within the Engineering Department of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has sparked controversy. 

The release of a list by the Chief Engineer of the HR Management Division of KSEB has drawn sharp criticism from staff unions. The list came out amidst ongoing discussions between authorities and trade unions regarding departmental-level restructuring. 

The KSRTC Workers Association, led by CITU, has warned that it would lead protests if the restructuring plans are enforced unilaterally.

In 2009, the Regulatory Commission instructed KSEB to trim its workforce to 30,321, down from the previously recognised figure of 35,936. However, due to the failures to fill vacancies in subsequent years, the workforce has come down to 27,700.

As per the Commission's direction, a total of 1098 linemen, 468 overseers and 1,893 electricity workers are to be cut down. Concerns have been raised regarding the potential impact on public services as a result of these cuts.

Meanwhile, the KSEB chairman Rajan Khobragade has demanded the government to extend the term of service of three retired chief engineers with the Civil Department citing lack of deserving candidates for the post, to which the trade unions took strong exception.