In a bold move against the escalating issue of power theft, the Punjab Government has ramped up its efforts to curb this rampant illegal activity. The state’s crackdown saw a staggering 296 FIRs registered in August alone, at Anti Power Theft Police Stations throughout Punjab. Additionally, 38 employees have been terminated for their involvement in corrupt practices related to power theft.
Punjab Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO, outlining the government’s aggressive stance, said that the crackdown is part of a broader strategy to combat the significant financial losses resulting from power theft. The FIRs were distributed across various zones: Patiala with 90, Amritsar with 79, Bathinda with 71, Ludhiana with 29, and Jalandhar with 27. These zones have been the focus of intense scrutiny and regular raids to address the issue.
The Power Minister emphasized that the action taken is in line with the Punjab Government's strict zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and power theft. Over the past two months, 37 outsourced meter-readers and one supervisor were dismissed for corrupt practices — an action underscoring the government’s commitment to eradicate corruption within its ranks and prevent further loss of revenue.
The Minister issued a stern warning to individuals involved in power theft, urging them to cease their illegal activities and regularize their power connections immediately. “The Power Department is resolute in its mission to eliminate power theft, which significantly drains our state’s resources,” the Minister said, emphasizing that no effort will be spared in identifying and prosecuting offenders.
To bolster these efforts, extensive special inspections across the state have been mandated. These inspections aim not only to thwart power theft but also to recover revenue lost due to these illicit activities. The Punjab Power Department is actively implementing these measures to ensure that power theft is curtailed effectively and that the financial integrity of the state's power sector is restored, he said.
