Tangedco unions propose quarters to quarantine staff

Chennai

In a detailed project report prepared by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board’s All Trade Unions Joint Action Council, they pointed out that in the last two months, more than 20 employees have tested positive for the virus, of which three have died. The trade unions have also written to Electricity Minister P Thangamani raising the demand for exclusive temporary quarantine facility for Tangedco and Tantransco staff.

Pointing to the shortage of beds to accommodate positive patients in the wake of rising COVID cases in the city, the unions said that many Tangedco employees who tested positive had to face a bitter experience while searching for beds in government and private hospitals. The unions, therefore, proposed setting up of separate quarantine rooms with light medical facility exclusively for the employees of Tangedco and Tantransco.

At the ETPS quarters, the camp-2 comprises of 240 houses and only 30 families are staying in it. “The electrical, plumbing and main doors are under repair in few blocks of camp-2. Those have to be rectified before accommodating the COVID-19 positive cases,” it said, adding that a cost of Rs 20 lakh would be required to repair the houses and another Rs 20 lakh for setting up of other facilities including beds. Pointing out that the doctors and nurses engaged for treatment could be accommodated in one block, comprising of 16 houses, it said the quarantine facility could be established in 15 days if the government gives its nod. “The investment on repairs of the building will help in the long run and help maintain the structure. The refurbished houses can be utilised for residential purpose by our employees after COVID-19, while beds and other items can be diverted to TNEB-owned hospitals later,” it said.

A senior Tangedco official said no decision has been taken on setting up such a facility. “The ETPS quarters are almost fully occupied and it would be difficult to shift them elsewhere,” the official said.

TAKING COVER FROM VIRUS SHOCKER

• 20 officers, staff of Tangedco & Tantransco tested positive; 3 dead
• All trade unions’ JAC submitted a DPR for temporary quarantine centre
• Quarantine facility to come up at Ennore Thermal Power Plant quarters
• 200 temporary isolation rooms to be set up for staff tested positive
• Rs 40 lakh is the cost estimated for establishing the 200-bed facility