AE’s detention wrong, taken up matter with CS: Minister

PANAJI
Power Minister Ramkrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar has strongly criticised the detention of the on-duty Assistant Engineer, Swapnil Walavalkar, from the Colvale sub-station by police acting on the orders of a Deputy Collector, calling the action “wrong” and “unjustified.”
The Electricity Department has formally lodged a complaint with the Chief Secretary, seeking an inquiry into the incident, he said.
Walavalkar was detained on Thursday for failing to report for Special Intensive Revision (SIR) duty, part of the Election Commission’s voter roll verification process.
However, Dhavalikar emphasised that engineers posted at critical sub-stations ” such as the 220 KVA and 110 KVA facilities ” are tasked with ensuring uninterrupted power supply and cannot be relieved from their posts under any circumstances.
“We have complained to the Chief Secretary. He will make a proper inquiry into the matter and come to a conclusion on what is to be done,” Dhavalikar said.
Dhavalikar underscored the sensitive nature of substation operations, stating that engineers stationed there are not even permitted to take phone calls during duty hours.
“They are not allowed to go from there. Moreover, we do not even permit them to take phone calls. In addition, no one has the authority to enter these substations without permission,” Dhavalikar asserted.
The incident on Thursday had sparked concern within the Electricity Department, which views the detention as a breach of protocol and a disruption to essential services.
Officials argue that any reassignment of personnel for election-related duties must be preceded by proper coordination and clearance, especially when it involves staff responsible for maintaining critical infrastructure.
The matter is expected to be taken up at the highest administrative level, with the Chief Secretary likely to initiate a fact-finding exercise to determine whether due process was followed and whether the engineer’s detention was warranted.