Threatening strict action against those indulging in theft of electricity, Power Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said it is ‘industries’ as well as ‘big people’ and not the poor who are involved in the pilferage.
“Bribes are offered to linesmen and department officials, and may be politicians are also involved in it,” Goyal said here at the 2-day conference of power ministers of states and Union territories. He called for taking action against those involved in power theft saying it will benefit the common man. He said: “I would like to mention that this is not the issue concerning the poor people. Don’t think that you will be politically affected if you take action against the power theft. Poor persons are not involved in the theft. Farmers don’t do it because they get it cheap or free power.
“Maximum theft is in the field of industries and by big people. I feel there is a political benefit in stopping the theft because by doing that you will be able to reduce the electricity bill of the common man.”
He added: “If you do your job honestly and if you are able to convey to people that what you are doing is for their benefit, then I can assure you that politically there is a great benefit in curbing power theft.”