With 5,000 out of 6,591 meter-reader posts vacant and no fresh hiring in 13 years, critics say this isn’t about staffing gaps; it’s about turning public services into contract gigs. The CPM, CPI, PMK, and AMMK are united in calling it a backdoor privatization move. They warn untrained contractors could overbill homes, hurt consumers, and bypass reservation policies meant to ensure social justice. One big question lingers: If lakhs of youth are unemployed, why not fill these posts permanently? The government’s reply? A six-month trial. But opponents see a pattern; and they’re not backing down. This isn’t just about meter readings. It’s about who gets to work, who gets paid fairly, and who controls public services. #TamilNadu #GovernmentJobs #ElectricityBoard #PublicServices #JobCrisis