Water Authority delayed reporting vacancies despite existing rank list

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Water Authority has failed to timely report vacancies to the PSC affecting the validity of the rank list for meter readers over 1.5 years. In August 2022, PSC released the rank list comprising 300 people in the main list and 250 in the supplementary list, yet only 40 appointments have been made thus far.

PSC neglected to report the anticipated vacancy in December 2023 causing candidates to miss potential opportunities. Presently, 18 vacancies due to promotions need reporting to the PSC highlighting a recurring issue for the Water Authority.

Between May 2017 and December 2018, 10 meter readers were promoted to meter inspectors without the water authority reporting these promotion vacancies. Additionally, no leave or promotion vacancies were reported to PSC from January to December 2023.

This shortage of staff is stark as there are only 173 meter readers managing the readings for 27 lakh consumers. To address this shortfall, 1,200 Kudumbashrees have been appointed as meter readers post the release of the rank list. Moreover, candidates with a one-year National Council for Vocational Education course completion should be considered for meter reader roles.