Power theft: 611 FIRs lodged against offenders

The Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) has asserted to continue its drive against electricity theft, unauthorized use of electricity and non-payment
Power theft: 611 FIRs lodged against offenders

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) has asserted to continue its drive against electricity theft, unauthorized use of electricity and non-payment of electricity bills.

The assertion has come after the APDCL collected a record revenue of Rs 501 crore in June this year. The power company last month launched a drive against electricity theft, unauthorized use of electricity and non-payment of electricity bills.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday APDCL Managing Director Rakesh Kumar said the company had conducted 1904 raids against power theft and unauthorized use of electricity in June this year. While 611 FIRs have been filed against the offenders, the APDCL has imposed a fine of Rs 14.9 crore on such illegal consumers. He said the APDCL could so far realize an amount of Rs 2.10 crore as fines from the offenders of power theft.

Kumar said the highest number of cases of power theft and illegal use of electricity has been detected in Mangaldai, Nagaon and Lakhimpur circles of APDCL. He said the company recently disconnected 1.11 lakh electricity connections due to non-payment of bills to the tune of Rs 84 crore. In the meantime, the APDCL has restored 48,000 connections and earned Rs 27 crore from defaulters.

"The drive launched last month has yielded positive results and thus we will continue the same. The APDCL is yet to receive Rs 2000 crore from its electricity consumers. Some industrial and commercial consumers are still involved in power theft. We will go for using hi-tech gadgets including smart meters to prevent such theft in future. Physical inspection against power theft at suspected sites is being carried on," Kumar said.

Principal Secretary to Power department Niraj Verma while congratulating the APDCL for earning a record revenue of Rs 501 crore in June 2021, said the company has been trying to provide uninterrupted quality power supply to consumers. In May 2021 the APDCL had earned Rs 360 crore revenue.

"Good revenue collection helps to create better infrastructures to ensure uninterrupted power supply in the State. We purchase power from the Central Government's PSUs. Delay in payment to these PSUs results in payment high rate of interest. So, I appeal to all consumers of APDCL to pay their electricity bills in time," Verma said.

Director-General of Police (DGP) Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta who was also present in the press conference on Friday, said all police stations will now register cases on the basis of FIRs filed by the APDCL against various power-related offences. He said in the past only five police stations were authorized to register such cases.

Mahanta also said that the police would take actions against those involved in assaulting the APDCL employees while discharging their duties against power theft.

On the other hand, the DGP said the 24X7 help desk recently set up with helpline number 155260 in CID headquarters, has registered 112 cases of financial fraud in the last four days. He said the police have been successful in blocking the fraudulent transfer of money by antisocial elements.

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