No proposal to remove meter readers: HMWS&SB

The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply & Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) has reassured that there are no plans to dismiss the meter readers employed by the organization. Board managing director K. Ashok Reddy announced that a special meeting would be convened on Tuesday to address the issues raised by the meter readers, with the final decisions to be communicated. This clarification follows a renewed demand for regularization, triggered by the passing away of three outsourcing employees.

The board had submitted proposals to the government regarding the inclusion of meter readers in the Integrated Financial Management and Information System (IFMIS) portal. This request was initiated by the Telangana Outsourcing Employees Joint Consultative Committee (JAC) in November 2025. The board sought clarification on whether meter readers could be accommodated within IFMIS, given that billing and collection agencies' operations were categorized as "activity outsourcing" rather than traditional outsourcing.

According to an April 2026 letter from HMWS&SB to the MA&UD (Engineering) department, the proposed workforce for meter readers amounted to 782, while the current operational strength stood at 677. These personnel are contracted through manpower agencies selected through competitive bidding processes. The agencies are compensated ₹15,600 per month for each meter reader engaged, excluding statutory social security benefits.

In February of this year, the board submitted an additional request to the MA&UD department, inquiring whether meter readers could be integrated into IFMIS. Delays in processing salaries for outsourcing employees were attributed to the thorough scrutiny and clearance of bills, which were hindered by late submission of attendance records by the agencies. The board clarified that payments would be disbursed based on eligibility.

Following the JAC's intervention, the HMWS&SB announced the suspension of the tender process for engaging manpower agencies, awaiting government clarification. The board also assured that payments would only be made to eligible personnel, in response to the appeals made by the JAC.