TNPDCL proposes appointment of private contractors for assessing electricity meters

The Tamil Nadu Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) has proposed to outsource the bi-monthly assessment of meter readings of domestic consumers in the State as a short-term measure for six months, until the smart meters have been fixed.

The TNPDCL has been reeling from a severe manpower shortage in all categories, including linemen, wiremen, supervisors, and assessors. At present, the TNPDCL faces a 60% vacancy crunch in assessor positions, with only 3,063 assessors available against a sanctioned strength of 7,565, serving roughly 3.50 crore low-tension connections.

Particularly the shortage of assessors in Chennai, where there are nearly 40 lakh domestic consumers, has resulted in hundred of complaints regarding the low-tension (LT) consumers receiving inflated electricity bills due to delayed assessment of meters and table reading of meters (without visiting the houses).