Electricity Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO
Punjab Electricity Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO said that the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is committed to promote energy security and prevent electricity theft. He said regular special inspections are necessary to prevent financial loss to the government. Also, checking electricity theft will also ensure better services to regular consumers of the state.
The Power Minister instructed the PSPCL officials to submit a daily report regarding the investigation. He clarified that all electrical connections, domestic, commercial, agricultural and industrial, should be checked. He also made it clear that there should be no slack in checking power connections and submitting daily reports.
Strict action orders issued
The Electricity Minister said in a stern tone that if Powercom/PSPCL/PSTCL. If any officer or employee of the Central Government is found directly or indirectly involved in electricity theft, they will not be spared at any cost. An officer of any such rank can be appointed as PSPCL, he said. As per rule he will be dismissed with immediate effect and strict action will be taken under law.
A fine will be levied and an FIR will be registered
The energy minister said he would personally monitor these actions. Will review the reports submitted to him by the officers. He also directed to register fine and FIR against those stealing electricity. He clearly said that electricity theft is no less than corruption, so anyone involved in this kind of ‘corruption’ will not be spared at any cost.
A total of 81,262 connections have been checked so far, he said. The evasions from these connections were detected and a penalty of around Rs 13.30 crore was levied on the defaulters.
Investigations and action are being taken in each zone
Giving zone-wise details, the power minister said that a total of 27,285 connections were checked in border zone Amritsar. Out of these connections, 989 cases of theft were detected and a fine of Rs 3.01 crore was collected. He said that a total of 6,079 connections were checked in West Zone Bathinda. Out of these connections, theft was detected in 872 cases and a fine of Rs 3.03 crore was collected.
The Electricity Minister said that a total of 10,718 connections have been checked in North Zone Jalandhar. In 741 cases of this connection, theft was detected and a fine of 1.25 crore was imposed. He further said that a total of 10,699 connections were tested in central zone Ludhiana. Out of these connections, theft was detected in 707 cases and a fine of Rs 2.43 crore was collected.
He said that a total of 18,096 connections were checked in South Zone Patiala. Out of which theft was detected in 1,116 cases and a fine of 2.47 crores was imposed.
