Demand

  • Political parties urged the Tamil Nadu government to:
  1. Withdraw the decision to outsource electricity meter reading to private companies.
  2. Fill vacancies in Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) through internal recruitment.

Consumer Concerns

  • Tamil Nadu has around 3.52 crore electricity consumers. Complaints regarding:
  1. Power outages
  2. Delays in meter reading
  3. Billing errors
    are reportedly increasing.

Staff Shortage

  • Citing the department’s White Paper:
  1. Around 53,575 posts are vacant.
  2. The government has announced plans to fill 20,449 posts.
  3. This includes 12,500 multi-purpose field workers and 945 technical assistants.

Meter Reading Outsourcing

  • The proposed six-month limited tender from October for meter reading was described by political parties as an attempt to move towards privatisation of the power utility.

Substation Staff Shortage

  • Around 1,800 substation operator posts are reportedly vacant. About 600 candidates who cleared the internal recruitment process for technical assistant posts are awaiting appointment.