Mangaluru: As many as 10,000 engineers, assistant engineers and other line staff will be recruited for Escoms in the state in coming threemonths, said D K Shivakumar, minister for power. He was addressing a training program "Abhishikshana' organised by KPTCL and MESCOM at Kulshekar church premises on Saturday, July 16.

He said that recently around 11,592 persons have been recruited across Karnataka. "Unlike the previous government, there was a complete transparency in recruitment process, no influence or bribe taken," he said, adding that service will be the priority.

Out of 11,952 new recruits, 2, 350 have been inducted in the Mangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (MESCOM). He asked them to serve in coastal belt for long rather than asking for transfer soon after completing their probation period.

About the recent suspension of engineers in the department,  he said, " I have dismissed 21 engineers over the solar rooftop scam and remaining 30 will be suspended within a week."

"The department will start integrated online examinations acoss the state soon and training will be provided by best personnel in the country," he said.

He lauded that MESCOM has been ranked fifth in the all India level performance. To tap solar energy in every possible way, he said that 20 to 25 kw solar energy plants will be set up in every taluk in the state.

In order to provide quick service to the customer in times of power failure or other related issues, Mescom will set up a 24x7 call centre in Central Service Station situated at Kadri. Chikkananjappa, managing director, MESCOM pointed out that this service will be outsourced as it will be more efficient and provide quick response to complaints.

Director of MESCOM Mallika Pakala, MD of MESCOM Chikkanananjayya, director of KPTCL A S Radhakrishna and others were present.