1500-1800 appointments in OPTCL in 3 years: CM

Bhubaneswar: The state government will appoint 1500 to 1800 candidates in various posts of Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited (OPTCL) in the coming two to three years, said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday.

While handing over appointment letters to the 258 technical workers of OPTCL at Jayadev Bhawan here, the Chief Minister said besides the OPTCL, the state government also aims to appoint candidates at various other departments.

The number of grid substations will be increased to 167 from the present 100 by 2018 and 500 new substations will be set up by three years, which will create more job opportunities and provide better electricity services to the customers, Patnaik said.

Talking to newsmen after the induction programme, Patnaik said, “I am delighted that so many young recruits have gained appointment in the energy sector at the function today.”

Pranab Prakash Das, Energy minister said, “We gave appointment to 258 technicians today. We are working on a massive appointment drive which aims at giving appointment to 1500 to 1800 candidates in OPTCL.”

Among others, the induction programme was attended by Energy minister Pranab Prakash Das, Energy department secretary Rajesh Verma and OPTCL CMD Hemant Sharma.