Massive raids to check power theft in Punjab

Patiala: Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has launched a massive campaign against the menace of theft of electricity in the state.

PSPCL CMD Er Baldev Singh Sran disclosed that within two weeks of July, massive raids were conducted by various squads of the PSPCL and enforcement teams in Punjab.

Sran disclosed that a penalty of Rs 521.13 lakhs have been assessed from 2,643 consumers for theft of power. He said that excellent results have been achieved during the raids conducted by all the enforcement squads in all the five operation zones of PSPCL. He said that Amritsar Zone Distribution teams have done a great job, they 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. 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. The teams of Jalandhar Zone had checked 7,125 consumers and found 260 indulging in theft and a sum of Rs 29.27 lakhs charged.

Further, Enforcement teams under Engineer-in-chief Enforcement wing had also checked the premises of 1,459 consumers and found 165 indulging in theft and charged Rs 83.86 lakhs as penalty.

PSPCL 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 it in controlling the menace of theft of electricity by providing information about theft of power for campaign against theft of electricity in the state. They can also inform about theft of electricity on whatsapp no 96461-75770. PSPCL assured its consumers that their identity will not be disclosed.