To combat power theft and promote energy conservation across Punjab, the state’s Power and PWD Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO on Monday announced the successful completion of a two-day statewide checking drive. The comprehensive operation, which spanned across various zones in the State, led to the inspection of a staggering 50,781 power connections, with 3,349 cases of theft detected. The drive culminated in the imposition of penalties amounting to Rs 7.66 crore, sending a clear message that the Punjab Government is resolute in its fight against power theft.

Detailing the achievements of the drive, The Minister highlighted that on the second day alone, the Distribution and Enforcement wing of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) inspected 22,288 power connections. This effort resulted in the detection of 1,274 cases of power theft, with penalties totaling Rs 3.02 crore imposed on the offenders. The Minister emphasized that these inspections are not a one-time effort but part of a sustained campaign to eliminate power theft from the State.

The success of this drive was achieved through meticulous planning and the collaborative efforts of the PSPCL’s Distribution Wing, which covered five key zones — South Zone (Patiala), Central Zone (Ludhiana), North Zone (Jalandhar), Border Zone (Amritsar), and West Zone (Bathinda). These zones collectively saw the inspection of 42,396 connections, uncovering theft in 3,073 cases, with penalties amounting to Rs 6.68 crore.

PSPCL’s Enforcement Wing also played a pivotal role in the drive. The team inspected 8,385 connections across the State, uncovering 276 cases of power theft and imposing penalties worth Rs 1.18 crore.