Criminal charges will be framed against consumers for power theft: KPDCL

Srinagar, Dec 2: In an attempt to combat large-scale power pilferage and improve bill deposits by defaulting consumers, Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) conducted a whopping 10,465 inspections and disconnected over 11,000 consumers in the last 10 days of November 2023.

An official spokesman in a statement issued here said that the KPDCL also realised a revenue of Rs 85.24 crore, including power receipts, in the same period, with the highest remittances of Rs 16.42 crore recorded on November 28 alone.

Sharing details, a KPDCL spokesperson confirmed rampant hooking of lines on the bare conductor in metered areas and exceeding energy use beyond the agreed load by flat-rated consumers across the Kashmir division.

“During inspection overdrive, a penalty of Rs 1.03 crore was imposed on consumers found involved in power theft across all six O&M Circles in the last 10 days of November. As many as 995 connections were regularised and 2120 KW load added,” the spokesman said.

O&M Circle Ganderbal conducted the highest number of 2945 inspections, followed by Circle Spore with 2048, Circle II Srinagar 1950, Pulwama 1528, Bijbehara 1004, and Circle I Srinagar 990.
Crediting KPDCL patrolling teams for moving out in sub-zero temperatures to expose power pilferage, the spokesman shared details of 11,238 consumers disconnected in the last 10 days of November, who had
pending energy dues exceeding three months.

This included 7828 domestic, 2979 commercial, and 346 industrial consumers.

The spokesman assured the consumers of strict adherence to the power curtailment schedule following the additional allocation of power to J&K by the Centre.
Emphasising judicious use of power, the KPDCL spokesman also warned consumers to avoid hooking, bypassing of meters and exceeding overload, failing which KPDCL would file criminal charges under relevant provisions of the Electricity Act.

“We will soon start sharing details of consumers who have pending energy dues in lakhs towards the organisation. We will also expose hookers who have the temerity to openly use power unauthorisedly,” he said. “The FIRs will be lodged against those persons who physically assault KPDCL staff for performing official duties.”

The spokesman also warned commercial consumers including hotels, malls, and other business outlets who have been found involved in tampering with meters and have been caught red-handed by the Central
Inspection Squad of KPDCL.

“We have taken cognisance under the law and penalised them. These penalties for power theft have been confirmed by the First Appellate Authority under Sections 126 and 127 of the Electricity Act. KPDCL will ensure the fines are deposited, otherwise, we will act tough and initiate legal proceedings against them,” he said. “The lists of all such defaulters are lying with the KPDCL and will be made public soon.”
Confirming positive outcomes of accelerated inspection and disconnection drives, a KPDCL spokesman said such drives would continue which are aimed at preventing energy losses and enhancing revenue collection from defaulting consumers.

“There have been many positive takeaways from such drives. This will help us in adhering to power curtailment schedule and extending comfort to the genuine consumers,” he said.
Reiterating concern over the rate of damage to Domestic Transformers (DTs), the spokesman urged the consumers to prevent overloading of DTs which puts entire habitations in great hardships during peak winter times.

“We have maintained a steady rate of replacing damaged transformers. Our teams at Central Workshop Pampore and divisional-level workshops are working 24X7 to repair damaged DTs and ensuring time-bound replacement,” he said.