The Manipur International Youth Centre (MIYC) expressed its deep concern and strong objection to the letter submitted by the Managing Director of the Manipur State Power Distribution Company Limited (MSPDCL) to the Chief Minister proposing “performance-based promotions” for the posts of General Manager (GM) and Executive Director (ED).
Referring to the contents of the letter and the relevant provisions of the MSPDCL HR Policy, MIYC stated that the Managing Director has misrepresented the existing policy framework and has attempted to wrongly persuade the Chief Minister to approve a proposal that could seriously undermine the established service structure, departmental hierarchy, and legitimate promotional avenues of the employees of MSPDCL.
In a press release, MIYC stated that the managing director’s letter attempts to project that promotions to the senior posts of GM and ED should primarily be based on “performance-based evaluation.” However, the HR policy provisions cited in the letter do not support such a sweeping change in the promotional system, it added.
MIYC said it strongly believes that such a proposal is not merely a technical administrative change but a dangerous precedent that could disrupt the entire service structure of the power sector in Manipur.
If implemented, this proposal would undermine the established seniority and cadre structure of MSPDCL, arbitrarily bypass experienced officers who have served the department for decades, create uncertainty and resentment among employees whose promotional avenues are determined by clearly defined service rules, and encourage subjective evaluation and favoritism, which can easily open the door to nepotism and administrative manipulation.
It said that the power sector is a highly technical and hierarchical organization where functional responsibility flows through a clearly defined chain of command. Disturbing this structure through discretionary performance-based promotion systems could destabilize operational efficiency and morale within the department.
It strongly warned that introducing a vague and discretionary “performance-based” promotion system without transparent and objective evaluation mechanisms will inevitably lead to favoritism and patronage, political interference, and administrative nepotism. Such practices would not only destroy employee morale but also erode public confidence in the functioning of the power sector in Manipur, it added.
MIYC urged the Chief Minister to reject and return the letter submitted by the Managing Director of MSPDCL dated February 18, 2026, and ensure that no administrative action is taken on the basis of this misleading proposal.
It also urged the Chief Minister to immediately scrap any communication or directive issued from the Chief Minister’s Office to the Chief Secretary, Manipur, regarding this proposal and direct the concerned authorities to strictly adhere to the existing HR policy and established service rules governing promotions within MSPDCL.
MIYC reiterated that the employees of MSPDCL are the backbone of Manipur’s power infrastructure, and as such, their professional growth must be protected through fair, transparent, and rule-based promotion mechanisms.
Any attempt to manipulate promotional policies for selective benefit will harm not only the employees but also the efficiency and integrity of the entire power distribution system of the state, it said.
MIYC demanded that the managing director of MSPDCL must immediately withdraw the controversial proposal and refrain from presenting distorted interpretations of service rules before the government.
