Getting tough on power theft, the practice omnipresent in most parts of the State, Chief Minister Raghubar Das directed the Energy Department to promulgate an Ordinance in this regard.
In a high-level meeting with the officials of the Department, the CM told them to crack the whip on defaulters which also include big consumers. "Numbers of HT (high tension) consumers are more in the list of power thieves. Power theft is a serious crime and the State suffers excessive loss due to it. This should be dealt with properly," said the Chief Minister on Friday.
Nearly 41 per cent of power distribution goes unaccounted in Jharkhand which is the highest in the country. The Chief Minister directed to take effort that can ensure considerable reduction on this front within one year time. "In the first phase, it should be brought from 41 per cent to at least 32 per cent. To deal with the menace, an Ordinance should be readied with soon," the CM told the Principal Secretary of Energy Department.