THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The employees union and staff association, which opposes the increase in the number of meter readings to be taken daily by the water authority, will hold talks with Managing Director Bhandari Swagat Ranveer Chand on the 19th. Kerala Kaumudi had reported yesterday that the MD went directly to the reading following the complaint that the increased frequency in meter reading has doubled the work load. A discussion will be held in this regard in the meeting.

The MD will explain in the meeting that the daily reading was re-determined and that she had to come down herself to take the reading. Meanwhile, the unions will demand that the order be revoked. They say the meter readers are taking maximum readings and the decision to increase the number of daily readings is unilateral. The organizations point out that there are places in rural and urban areas where readers cannot reach quickly and the order is impractical as it requires more time.

There is also a demand to create new meter reader posts. Now there are only 346 permanent meter readers. As this is not enough, contract workers and Kudumbashree members have been appointed by paying up to two crore rupees per month.

Billing machine required

Currently, the bill is prepared by going to the field to record the reading after taking a printout of the reading sheet in the office and coming
Institutions like KSEB are using hand-portable machines through which accurate billing can be done. Water bill is written and given by meter readers. Earlier the use of machines was stopped in Thiruvananthapuram city. Unions are demanding that it be brought back.