To stop power theft in the state, the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited has launched a massive campaign recovering Rs 521.13 lakh as penalty from 2643 consumers for power theft.
The campaign to check power theft was launched following a strict directions issued by the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh recently to curb the menace of theft of electricity in the State. Acting on the same, PSPCL has conducted series of raids and achieved excellent results.
PSPCL chairman-cum-managing director (CMD) Baldev Singh Sran said that within two weeks of July, massive raids were conducted by the PSPCL distribution and enforcement teams in Punjab.
“A penalty of Rs 521.13 lakhs has been charged from 2643 consumers for theft of power from across the State and 39,953 premises of consumers were checked during these raids,” he said.
Sran appreciated the role and contribution of the different enforcement teams while sharing the excellent results of special drive by five operation zones of PSPCL.
He said that Amritsar Zone distribution teams have done a great job, and checked 19,290 consumers and found 1,026 for theft and charged them Rs 161.68 lakhs as penalty.
“Distribution teams in Bathinda Zone checked the premises of 1,514 consumers and charged Rs 131.54 lakhs to 590 defaulting consumers. In Patiala Zone, 442 consumers were charged for Rs 76.84 lakhs, while 4,264 consumers of industrial town Ludhiana and Khanna circle were checked and 160 consumers found for theft of power and charged for Rs 37.94 lakhs,” he said.
CMD shared that the teams of Jalandhar Zone had checked 7125 consumers and found 260 indulging in theft and a sum of Rs 29.27 lakhs charged.
“Enforcement teams, under Engineer-in-chief (Enforcement Wing), had also checked the premises of 1459 consumers and found 165 indulging in theft and charged them Rs 83.86 lakhs as penalty,” he said.
Sran said that at two-three places, PSPCL squads were gheraoed and obstructed from checking by locals in Wajidke, Zira and Fazilka areas and local staff accompanying the enforcement squad was also manhandled by the notorious persons.
“FIRs have been lodged against the people involved in obstruction of theft detection drive at Wajidke,” he said while pointing that the Chief Minister had asked the Chief Secretary and the state police chief to ensure adequate police protection to PSPCL staff engaged in taking action against unscrupulous elements engaged in pilferage of power through ‘kundi connections’.
He explained that theft of power indirectly results in rise in tariff due to low revenue collection which will put burden on honest consumers also.
“PSPCL has appealed to all its consumers to help Corporation in controlling the menace of theft of electricity by providing information about theft of power for campaign against theft of electricity in the state. Consumers or informers can also inform about theft of electricity on Whatsapp no 96461-75770,” said Sran while assuring the PSPCL consumers that their identity will not be disclosed.