Launching a drive across the State to control pilferage of electricity, the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has imposed Rs 72.67 lakhs fine on its 19 consumers for electricity theft and other violations.
Power Minister Harbhajan Singh on Friday said that PSPCL’s different enforcement teams conducted checking of various connections throughout the state during the last two days in order to control pilferage of electricity. During checking by different enforcement wings, PSPCL has imposed a fine of Rs 72.67 lakhs to 19 consumers for theft of electricity and other violations, he added.
The Minister said that a team of enforcement wing from Amritsar checked a hotel near Attari border and imposed Rs 15.70 lakh on the consumer. The connected load of the consumer found 30.456 KW against sanctioned load of 12.130 KW for theft of electricity and PSPCL has written to the anti-power theft police station, Verka, for registration of a FIR against the consumer.
In another check by Bathinda’s enforcement teams, PSPCL successfully caught a theft being done by a fish farming consumer. A fine of Rs 11.81 lakhs imposed on the consumer and FIR has been lodged against the consumer. During checking, it is found that consumers are stealing electricity through the neutral of meter and through change over switch. The consumer found a running load of 25 KW against a sanctioned load of 19.8 KW.
“Enforcement team raided on a Dera Romiwala, in Gihri village, near Maur Mandi and found that Dera supply was running on connected load of 20.3 KW whereas sanctioned load is Rs 5.24 KW and fine of Rs 3.13 lakhs was imposed for unauthorized use of electricity under Electricity Act-2003.
He also added that enforcement teams checked advocate chambers and photostat shops at Jalalabad tehsil complex and also city police colony at Jalalabad. During checking, 15 theft cases were detected and a fine of Rs 5.30 lakhs was imposed to defaulter consumers.
“Enforcement team of Jalandhar checked a medium supply connection and found that the meter recorded 50 percent less than actual consumption. The connection was released in the month of April 2017. The load of the consumer is 80 KW. The account of the consumer was overhauled and an amount of Rs 36.73 lakh has been charged. The inquiry regarding the role of PSPCL officials in this lapse is being investigated and strict disciplinary action will be initiated against the delinquent officials,” he said.