Bescom contractual meter readers face threats from pet dogs

BENGALURU: The Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM), is one of the largest electricity supply companies in Karnataka, provides electricity to 2.07 crore households across eight districts, covering 41,000 square kilometers including Bengaluru city, Bengaluru Rural, Tumakuru, Chitradurga, Davangere, Kolar, Chikkaballapur and Ramanagara.

The company has around 850 meter readers who visit homes to record meter readings. However, these meter readers are contractual employees and face several issues.

They are paid a meager Rs 3 per meter reading, and the BESCOM Meter Readers Association has demanded a fixed minimum wage in line with central government policies. Additionally, meter readers often face problems with pet dogs, which attack them while they are collecting electricity bills.

The employees have expressed their frustration, stating that they do not receive any compensation for injuries sustained during their work.

Moreover, as contractual employees, meter readers do not receive ID cards, which often leads to disputes with the consumers when they visit homes for disconnections. The association has demanded that Bescom provide ID cards to its meter readers.

Mallesha B G, president, contractual meter readers welfare forum of KPTCL and Bescom, Bengaluru city, said, “We are getting very little income from Bescom as we are contractual employees. There is no value for our hard work and effort. The hired private company (Idea Infinity) is getting Rs 16.75 per meter from Bescom, but they are giving us just Rs 3. It is unjustifiable. Contractual workers do not get benifits like regular employees. The company is not giving leave and they treat us like we don’t matter. They just ignore our interests. There are a lot of problems, but we get no proper response”.