VCK Chief Urges Tamil Nadu To Drop Meter Reading Outsourcing Plan

VCK president Thol. Thirumavalavan has asked the Tamil Nadu government to abandon its move to outsource electricity meter reading to private companies and instead fill vacancies in the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited through internal recruitment.

Staff shortage blamed for consumer complaints

In a statement on Monday, he said Tamil Nadu had around 3.52 crore electricity consumers and that complaints over power outages, delays in meter reading, and billing errors were increasing.

Mr. Thirumavalavan attributed these problems largely to a shortage of staff in the power distribution system.

Citing the department’s White Paper, he said 53,575 posts were vacant in the utility.

He also said the government had announced plans to fill 20,449 posts, including 12,500 multi-purpose field assistants and 945 technical assistants.

Outsourcing plan criticised

According to him, the decision to outsource meter reading through a limited tender for six months from October amounted to an attempt to privatise the power utility.

His objection is centred on the view that existing vacancies should be addressed through recruitment within the department rather than by handing over meter reading work to private companies.

Call to appoint candidates awaiting posting

Mr. Thirumavalavan also highlighted the shortage of substation operators, saying around 1,800 posts were vacant.

He said around 600 employees who had cleared the internal recruitment process for technical assistant posts were awaiting appointment.

He urged the government to appoint these candidates first against the 945 vacancies proposed to be filled this year.

He cited their experience in the department while making the demand for priority appointment.

The statement was published on September 28, 2026, at 06:30 pm IST.

Source: The Hindu