Power theft: PSPCL fines 46 consumers

Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 1

In an early morning drive to check power theft, teams of field staff and officials of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) struck at several places in the city and conducted thorough check of energy meters and power lines. In all, more than 1,400 connections were checked in the city as well as other towns including Khanna, Doraha, Jagraon and Amloh with detection of 46 cases of theft through kundi connections or bypassing the energy meters.

According to PSPCL officials, total penalty notices of Rs 18.49 lakh were raised against the defaulting consumers and in cases of non-payment of penalty FIRs would be lodged against offenders with anti-power theft police station under relevant provisions of the Electricity Act.

Giving more details, the officials said 10 each cases of theft were detected in CMC Division and Sunder Nagar Division where 216 and 196 connections respectively were inspected. In other divisions cases of thefts detected were nine cases in City West (connections checked 170), six each in Doraha (168) and Jagraon (147), three in Amloh (184) and one each in Doraha (168) and City Central Division (162).

PSPCL officials said they were duty-bound to continue action to curb power theft and advised the consumers to desist from drawing unauthorised electricity, tempering with energy meters and attempts to bypass the meters and obtain power from kundi connections. “Offenders would be sternly dealt with and in addition to heavy penalty for stealing power they would be liable for criminal action as well,” said an official.