Shortage of powermen in MESCOM

Mangaluru: The Mangaluru Electricity Supply Company Limited (MESCOM) is grappling with a severe staff shortage, particularly in the crucial role of “Powermen” responsible for electricity-related management work.

A staggering 50% of Powerman positions remain vacant, prompting existing staff to transform into “Supermen” to handle the overwhelming workload.

In the expansive MESCOM region covering Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Shimoga, and Chikkamagaluru, which includes a total of 32 taluks, there are 5,271 sanctioned Powerman positions. However, only 2,681 positions have been filled, leaving 2,590 vacant posts. This shortage extends beyond Powermen to include field officers, station managers, and drivers.

The dearth of Powermen is particularly acute in rural areas, where timely electricity management is crucial. Farmers and residents in these regions are facing challenges as the shortage hampers the resolution of electricity maintenance issues. Even in cases of line problems, Powermen are not readily available for repairs. The maintenance of low-tension lines (LT lines) is also being neglected due to the overwhelming work pressure, leaving issues unaddressed, such as branches hitting power lines.

A breakdown of vacancies reveals a concerning trend. In Group “A” of MESCOM, there are 68 vacancies out of 269 positions, while Group “B” has 66 vacancies out of 372 posts. Group “C” reports 905 vacancies out of 2,821 positions, and Group “D” has a staggering 2,812 vacancies out of 5,799 positions, resulting in an overall vacancy rate of 41%.

The situation has been exacerbated by record delays in filling vacant positions. In the 2019-20 period, only 580 out of 667 junior Powerman posts were appointed, with the verification of the remaining appointments pending. The verification process includes examining certificates for various reservations, validity, conduct, and police reports. Failure to submit required documents may lead to the cancellation of candidatures.