Chennai: Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation will hire additional contract workers to install smart meters and repair faulty distribution transformers for low-tension current transformer (LTCT) services.Each of the 45 electricity distribution circles can hire up to eight workers for 60 days. “We want to install smart meters for all 60,000 LTCT services by the end of this month. We have covered about 30% so far,” a senior official said. “We also need to repair faulty transformers quickly so they are ready when failures occur during the monsoon. That is why we need more workers.”The additional workers will help special maintenance teams repair failed distribution transformers from the field, the circular said. “Overseeing the overhauling of distribution transformers in the special maintenance repair shed and assisting the special maintenance outdoor section works, particularly the periodical and breakdown maintenance of sub-station equipment, so as to ensure timely and quality power supply to consumers,” the circular said.Superintending and executive engineers can invite tenders to hire workers at a daily wage of ₹965. TNPDCL recently allowed field officers to hire contract workers for six months to repair faults and restore power. It also instructed officials to outsource meter reading across the state. This is its third order to outsource work to private contractors.Consumers, however, said these measures had not improved the quality of power supply. They urge officials to look at complaints of power cuts, delay in restoration of power supply and poor quality of power supply and ensure remedial measures are yielding results.
