Keeping in view rampant power thefts being reported from several areas, the vigilance team of Uttarakhand Power Corporation limited (UPCl) conducted raids between June 1 and June 20 at various places in the state. A total of 167 persons were caught using electricity without authorisation at various places in the State and FIRs were lodged against them subsequently, UPCl claimed. Notably, earlier, the managing director UPCl BCK Mishra had directed the vigilance unit to launch drive to stop such pilferage.
In course of the 20- day- of campaign against power theft, drives were launched at Haridwar City, laksar, Roorkee, Sitarganj, Haldwani( rural), Rudrapur, Kashipur, Bajpur and other places. UPCl official report revealed that while eight persons were caught in the act of hooking in Haridwar city the figures were 17 in laksar, 45 in Roorkee, 46 in Sitarganj, four in Haldwani( rural), 21 in Rudrapur, 10 in Kashipur, three in Jaspur and six in Bajpur. FIRs were lodged against them in the police stations concerned, the report informed.
While expressing satisfaction over the pilferers being brought to book, Mishra said that they are appealing to the people to inform UPCl on toll free number 1800-180-4185 between 10 am and 5 pm on any working day about any case of power pilferage. The names of the persons who would inform the department about power theft in their localities would be kept secret, he assured.