By Mohamed Samiulla, Working President, All India Federation of Electricity Employees (AIFEE)
METER READER
A Meter Reader is one of the most important employees in the power sector, often referred to as the backbone of an organization’s revenue.
The position of a Meter Reader has existed since the inception of the electricity department. In the early days, meter readings were recorded manually on a reading sheet by a Clerk-cum-Meter Reader on a fixed date each month. The entire bill was then prepared by the revenue clerk at the office and dispatched to consumers by the bill distributor. Consumers were given 15 days to make the payment without incurring a fine. If the payment was not made, disconnection staff were assigned to cut off the power supply. Once the payment was completed, the reconnection staff would restore the supply, charging a late fee and reconnection charges.
Consumers are broadly categorized into three groups: Domestic, Commercial, and Industrial, each with a separate tariff structure.
For the first time in Karnataka, the Electricity Department introduced Work Load Norms and specifically recruited Meter Readers with ITI qualifications. They also introduced the spot billing system, where the revenue staff prepared billing pads containing the previous meter reading, Revenue Register Number (RR No.), class of tariff, and sanctioned load. The Meter Reader would collect these billing pads from the revenue section the previous evening and visit the assigned area the next day to issue spot bills to consumers.
The Meter Reader plays a crucial role in the department, acting as a public relations officer since they visit consumers’ premises every month. In addition to taking readings, they monitor revenue collection, identify tariff misuse, detect electricity theft, and inform consumers about government schemes and regulatory changes.
Equipped with a duplicate reading pad, carbon paper, and a hardboard for support, the Meter Reader records the new reading, calculates the consumption by subtracting the previous reading, applies the applicable tariff along with other charges and taxes, and issues the bill to the consumer. In a city like Bengaluru, a Meter Reader typically issues around 180 bills per day. By the end of the workday, their white uniform often turns blue from carbon paper stains, for which they receive a washing allowance.
Meter Readers are the only employees in the department who visit the residences of high-profile individuals such as the Chief Minister, High Court Judges, the Police Commissioner, and other VIPs. While performing their duties, they build strong connections with schools, colleges, business entrepreneurs, industrialists, politicians, and others, making them influential members of society.
In the past, Meter Readers enjoyed significant respect in their communities. They could easily assist colleagues in securing school admissions, resolving minor police matters, or finding jobs for relatives in industries. Their influence extended to social gatherings, including matrimonial meetings. Many local businesses, such as tea shops and bakeries, often provided them with refreshments for free. Even cinemas and theaters sometimes granted them complimentary entry for themselves and their families. Their authority, particularly regarding disconnections due to non-payment, contributed to the respect and influence they commanded.
In rural, Malnad, and hilly regions, the job of a Meter Reader is particularly challenging. Regardless of harsh weather conditions, they must complete readings on the designated day, often covering nearly 50 km by bicycle.
With advancements in technology, meter readings are now recorded using handheld devices. However, the core responsibilities and functions of Meter Readers remain the same.
India has approximately 50 crore electricity installations, and if one Meter Reader handles an average of 5,000 installations, there are around 1 lakh Meter Readers currently working in the country. This means that about 5–6 lakh family members depend on these employees for their livelihood.
Meter Readers are not just performing their assigned duties—they also act as vigilance officers, monitoring electricity theft, misuse, and ensuring timely revenue collection. Their monthly visits and inspections contribute significantly to the billions of rupees in revenue that sustain the entire energy sector.
It is fair to say that Meter Readers are truly the backbone of this industry.
Prepaid Smart Electricity Meter
A prepaid smart meter is a device that enables two-way communication between consumers and electricity providers. These meters allow electricity suppliers to collect payments in advance before the power is consumed. Once the prepaid balance is exhausted, the power supply is automatically disconnected, eliminating the need for staff intervention.
In addition to recording electricity consumption, these meters provide real-time data on usage patterns, helping consumers plan their consumption and reduce electricity costs. Suppliers can also implement a Time of Day (TOD) tariff system, charging higher rates during peak demand hours, typically at night.
Background of Electricity Sector Reforms in India
With the introduction of India’s new economic policy in 1991, reforms in the energy sector began. By this time, most state electricity boards were facing heavy losses due to populist policies of various governments. The sector suffered from a huge demand-supply gap, rampant electricity theft, and high transmission and distribution losses. Load shedding was common.
To address these issues, the government initiated the restructuring of electricity boards, unbundling them into separate corporations. Private investment was encouraged in electricity generation through power purchase agreements at high rates. However, financially struggling electricity boards were compelled to buy electricity from private generators, exacerbating their financial distress. The dues owed to these suppliers increased significantly.
To tackle this crisis, the government further opened electricity distribution to private investors by amending the Electricity Act. The Electricity Act of 2003 aimed to facilitate private participation in the sector. Despite multiple amendments, concerns remained, and from 2014 onwards, the government attempted further reforms. However, strong opposition from electricity employees and engineers across India stalled these efforts.
When direct attempts at privatization failed, the government resorted to alternative methods, such as franchising distribution zones and selling profit-making public-sector electricity companies at low prices. One major concern for private investors in electricity distribution was bill recovery, particularly from government institutions and agricultural consumers. To address this issue, private investors proposed the installation of prepaid smart meters, ensuring that consumers pay in advance before using electricity.
Nationwide Implementation of Prepaid Smart Meters
The central government has planned to install 25 crore prepaid smart meters across India by 2025, with an estimated project cost of ₹1.5 trillion (₹1,50,000 crore). Work orders have already been issued, and millions of meters have been installed in various states.
Critics argue that this initiative primarily benefits large corporate groups such as Adani, Ambani, Tata, and Torrent, as it paves the way for full privatization of the electricity sector. With prepaid meters in place, concerns about bill collection are eliminated, making the sector more attractive to private players.
Government’s Justification vs. Concerns
The government claims that prepaid smart meters will help consumers manage electricity consumption efficiently, reducing overall costs. Additionally, the meters provide valuable data to suppliers, allowing for technological innovations and better service delivery.
However, several contentious points have emerged:
Financial Concerns: The government has allocated ₹1,50,000 crore for this project, but a significant portion (estimated at 50%) is expected to be lost due to corruption. This means approximately ₹75,000 crore may be siphoned off by politicians and bureaucrats. Ultimately, these costs will be passed on to consumers through higher electricity tariffs.
Billing Issues: Many consumers have reported higher electricity bills after the installation of smart prepaid meters. For example, in Nagaon, Assam, consumers who previously paid ₹800 per month found that ₹1,000 was exhausted within just 25 days, raising concerns about the accuracy of the meters. Additionally, customer service centers are reportedly ill-equipped to address complaints.
Automatic Disconnection: The prepaid system automatically disconnects power once the balance reaches zero. Consumers must recharge immediately to restore supply. This system is particularly problematic for small industries, where power outages can halt production, affecting business and employees. Hospitals could also face critical situations if electricity is cut off during an operation.
Impact on Subsidies: Currently, subsidies are provided directly to consumers through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). However, under the prepaid system, consumers must first pay the full amount and wait for the subsidy to be credited later. This poses a challenge for low-income consumers who may not always have the required funds upfront, as seen with LPG subsidy issues.
Employment Losses: The installation of prepaid meters will eliminate the need for meter readers, disconnection and reconnection staff, and revenue section clerks. This could result in the loss of nearly 3 lakh jobs, affecting approximately 6 lakh family members.
Consumer Costs: Consumers will ultimately bear the cost of these meters, even though they are not provided free of charge. Additionally, if a meter malfunctions or burns out, consumers may have to bear the cost of replacement, or face service disruptions until a new meter is installed.
Security and Accountability: Under the old system, meter readers, linemen, and engineers conducted regular and surprise inspections, ensuring accountability. In the new system, consumers are remotely charged and disconnected in case of non-payment. This could lead to increased instances of power theft, resulting in significant losses for suppliers.
Impact on Farmers: Although farmers are currently exempt from prepaid meters, they may be brought under this system in the future, adding financial burdens on the agricultural sector.
Conclusion
The installation of prepaid smart meters is neither consumer-friendly nor employee-friendly. Instead, it primarily benefits private corporations and high-income consumers. This initiative is a step towards full privatization of the electricity sector, turning electricity into a commodity accessible mainly to the wealthy.
There is growing concern among employees in the energy sector due to privatization and the installation of prepaid smart energy meters. To make matters worse, an article in the *Deccan Herald* dated February 18, 2025, highlights the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on job creation.
The article discusses how the state of Karnataka has revised its industrial policy. Under the new policy, enterprises investing ₹50 crore are now only required to create 25 jobs, down from the previous target of 50 jobs for the same investment. This reduction is a direct consequence of AI advancements and the increasing focus on automation in industries.
The industrial policy for 2020-2025 initially required large enterprises to generate 50 jobs for a ₹50 crore investment. However, with the introduction of this new policy, it is feared that up to 50% of the youth could become unemployed, as many industries will require fewer workers due to automation.
The change in policy has sparked fears that technological progress could lead to widespread job losses, particularly in industries such as energy. The growing trend of automation, along with privatization efforts, has already led to job reductions, which adds to the anxiety among workers.
Abolishing the post of Meter readers leads to delinking the chain of consumers with the electrical department.