Pune : MSEDCL detects electricity thefts of Rs 1.59 crores in a single day

In order to reduce distribution and commercial losses, Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) launched an anti-power theft campaign in West Maharashtra for a day. In this, unauthorized consumption of electricity worth Rs 1 crore 59 lakh was revealed from 1276 places. Direct theft of electricity by hooking the electricity wire or tampering with the meter worth Rs. 96 lakh 58 thousand was found in 869 places.

As per information, according to the instructions of MSEDCL Pune Regional Director Ankush Nale, a campaign against electricity theft was conducted on Saturday ( January 6) in Pune, Solapur, Satara, Kolhapur, Sangli Districts under Pune regional division. Accordingly, the campaign started at 9 am in all the districts and went on till late in the evening, electricity connections in categories such as domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural, etc were inspected.

Following is the district-wise count of areas where electricity theft happened:

·         Pune District – 653 (Rs 1 crore 21 lakh 84 thousand)

·         Satara District – 151 (Rs 12 lakh 34 thousand)

·         Solapur District – 170 (Rs 8 lakh 29 thousand)

·         Kolhapur District – 134 (Rs 7 lakh 3 thousand)

·         Sangli District – 168 (Rs 9 lakh 61 thousand)

In total, 1276 places with electricity theft amounting to Rs 1 crore 59 lakh 11 thousand were revealed.

In case of electricity theft and unauthorized use of electricity, fines, and new electricity bills are being given to those concerned. 

The MSEDCL said that this bill should be paid immediately otherwise action will be taken as per the rules. If electricity is stolen, there is a big risk of an electrical accident. Therefore, instead of stealing electricity, MSEDCL has appealed to get a safe electricity supply by taking official electricity connections.

Section 135 of The Electricity Act, 2003 implies a fine and imprisonment of up to three years for the offense of electricity theft.

At present, a campaign is underway to cut off the power supply to the arrears of electricity bills. Inspection of power connections cut off due to arrears is underway. In this, action is being taken if it is found that electricity is being consumed in places where there is arrears from other places. Also, in the case of electricity theft, criminal action is being taken against those who do not pay the entire amount of the electricity theft bill along with the penalty amount under Section 135.

Shreyas Vange