THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Talks with Electricity Minister K Krishnankutty on the strike by the Officers' Association following the conflict with the KSEB management are paving the way for a compromise.

However, the minister and the KSEB management did not comply with the Association's demand that the President of the Association, Dr MG Suresh Kumar, be re-appointed at the Vaidyuthi Bhavan headquarters. It is learned that the association refused to accept the terms of the settlement in full. According to the management, a decision on Suresh Kumar will be taken later as there are several allegations against him. The strike will end if the association approves this proposal.

Association president MG Suresh Kumar and general secretary B Harikumar, who were subjected to disciplinary action, will give a legal explanation for the management's notice. The management is likely to accept this and end the disciplinary action against them. Both will report for work at locations where they have been transferred. At the same time, the leaders informed the Minister that the removal of the President and General Secretary of the Association from the KSEB headquarters district would hamper the organization's activities. In view of this, General Secretary B Harikumar may be re-appointed in the Thiruvananthapuram district. Jasmine Banu will also be posted in the capital on humanitarian grounds. The pro-CPM Officers' Association had started the strike in KSEB over the suspension of Jasmine Banu.

Meanwhile, the management yesterday initiated disciplinary action against those who trespassed on the chairman's room of the Vaidyuthi Bhavan. Eighteen of the 20 people have been identified on the basis of the video footage. The identified employees were sent notices. Action will be taken against them later.

The KSEB Board of Directors meeting held yesterday evaluated the High Court verdict restricting all struggles in the Electricity Board. The meeting decided not to invoke Kerala Essential Services Maintenance Act (KESMA) against officers at present.