Mounesh Vishwakarma

Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (EP)

Bantwal, Aug 20: "Issues relating to electric meter readers' for the reduction in work and salary was brought under the notice of the MLAs of the district, ministers and MP but they have failed to act. Mescom, on the other hand, is pressurising the meter readers to return the machines delaying the salary for two months,” alleged Dalit Seva Samithi Dakshina Kannada district president B K Sesappa Bedrakadu.

Speaking at a press conference held at B C Road, Bedrakadu said that the government and Mescom are conspiring in the name of contractors and meting out injustice. He alleged that they have increased the previous target to 2,500 in rural areas and 3,500 in urban limits and have removed extra readers from work. It was suggested to work with half salary if all have to be employed. "They have complained to the police station for not returning the machines. We too have registered a complaint with the labour department over non-payment of salary. We will also resort to a legal recourse along with it,” he warned.

While addressing the press conference meter readers Chandrashekar Vitla, Jayarama, Gopala Neralakatte, Sadashiva were present.