Cracking down on power thefts, the state electricity distribution utility has recovered Rs 10.40 crore from errant consumers in Mumbai's suburbs and adjoining districts in 2013-14 and 2014-15 for stealing electricity. The state-owned discom has also unearthed Rs 3.98 crore worth of power thefts in the region.
Cracking down on power thefts, the state electricity distribution utility has recovered Rs 10.40 crore from errant consumers in Mumbai's suburbs and adjoining districts in 2013-14 and 2014-15 for stealing electricity. The state-owned discom has also unearthed Rs 3.98 crore worth of power thefts in the region.
In a written reply to a question by Ajay Choudhari (Shiv Sena- Shivdi) in the state legislative assembly on Friday, power minister Chandrashekhar Bavankule said in 2013-14 and 2014-15, the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MahaVitaran) had detected 30,784 power thefts in Mumbai suburbs, Thane, Nashik and Palghar. Cases had been lodged against 2,617 consumers, he added, stating that consumers who were found stealing electricity had been fined over Rs 10.40 crore.
Bavankule said while recovering penalties for theft of power, these errant consumers were charged one-and-half times the normal power tariff. The MahaVitaran has also established flying squads to conduct special checks, energy audits are conducted and the meter boxes and meter terminals are sealed. Modern electronic meters, which register data like power consumption for the last 45 to 60 days and if consumers have made any changes with a nefarious intent, are also being used.
Special courts to try cases of electricity thefts have been set up and special police stations have been established at Kalyan, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, Jalna and Latur.
Senior MahaVitaran officials said as on March this year, the utility's distribution losses were around 13.5%, down from 14% for the same period in 2014. He added that the gradual decline in the distribution losses was because of the distribution company's regular anti-theft drives and measures.
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