In a welcome move, Madhya Pradesh Power Transmission Company Limited (MP Transco) is set to begin appointment process for 633 technical and non-technical posts, aiming to restore operational safety and accountability in the power transmission sector. The company has invited applications for filling 633 posts, including 63 posts of Assistant Superintendent (Transmission), 1 of Legal Officer, 247 posts of Junior Engineer (Transmission), 12 posts of Junior Engineer (Civil), 67-posts of Line Attendant, 229 posts of Sub-Station Attendant and 14 posts of Surveyor Attendant. This development took place after ‘The Hitavada’ highlighted the issue and published a report titled “MP Transco’s Overdependence on Pvt Contractors – A Red Flag Long Overlooked” was published on June 19, 2025. This report triggered significant measures by the Energy Department of Madhya Pradesh.

 

The report highlighted critical staff shortages and risky outsourcing practices within MP Transco following which the Energy Department took prompt action. The Hitavada’s report had revealed that MP Transco, once renowned for its robust in-house control of the State’s electricity infrastructure, had slowly shifted towards excessive reliance on private contractors, even in high-risk 400 kV sub-stations. The expose warned of compromised safety, undertrained manpower and risk of grid failure, which drew public and administrative concern. Reacting to the report, senior energy officials acknowledged the concerns and emphasised on the need for securing sensitive substations by reinstating adequately trained permanent staff. The move to recruit new personnel is being seen as direct fallout of the report, with officials confirming that the Energy Department took cognizance of the facts and findings published by ‘The Hitavada’. A top company official said, “This is a timely step.

 

The company had overlooked the scale of dependence on outsourced agencies. The report has brought the issue into focus.” The recruitment drive will reverse years of staffing erosion, where retirements outpaced new hirings, leading to MP Transco assigning critical operations to private contractors, often lacking experience or proper training. Experts had warned that this practice, if continued, could lead to incidents similar to the Northern Grid collapse of 2012. The decision to hire 633 employees is being welcomed across engineering unions and energy policy circles, as a win for transparency, public safety and responsible governance.