UPCL cracking down on power thieves
UPCL cracking down on power thieves
Dehradun , Nov 21
The vigilance Unit of the Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) taking a tough stand against power theft has being continuously conducting raids and taking action by filing FIRs under section -135 of the Power Act against those caught stealing power besides temporarily disconnecting power connection in other cases.
Apart from this, if the power connections are found to be faulty, such as excessive load, mode change and other faulty connections, fines are being collected on the spot as per rules. In the same sequence, in the financial year 2024-2025, till the month of October, a total of 2934 electricity connections were checked by the vigilance cell, in which 1870 cases of electricity theft (Section-135) have been registered, which were 28 percent more than the action taken in the last financial year. By adopting a tough stand in the cases of electricity theft by UPCL, the culprits are being reined in. Anil Kumar Yadav, Managing Director of UPCL informed that in the coming days, with the installation of smart meters for domestic consumers, it would not only improve the power supply in the area but would also prevent electricity theft. This in turn would directly benefit the department by improving the billing efficiency by assessing the correct input energy, reducing the electricity losses and also help in revenue growth.
In this sequence, the monthly comparative details of electricity checking done by the vigilance unit till October in the financial year 2024-2025 and the cases of electricity theft caught are as follows:- In the month of April 2024, a total of 320 connections were checked and 201 cases of action under section 135 were taken in which total theft was 263 kilowatt. In May 2024, a total of 474 connections were checked and 327 cases of action under section 135 were taken in which total theft was 483 kilowatt. In June 2024, a total of 449 connections were checked and 299 cases of action under section 135 were taken in which total theft was 569 kilowatt. In July 2024, a total of 432 connections were checked and 235 cases of action under section 338 were taken in which total theft was 483 kilowatt. In Aug 2024, a total of 429 connections were checked and 284 cases of action under section 135 were taken in which total theft was 491 kilowatt. In September 2024, a total of 413 connections were checked and 229 cases of action under section 135 were taken in which total theft was 307 kilowatt. In October 2024, a total of 417 connections were checked and 295 cases of action under section 135 were taken in which total theft was 451 kilowatt. Since April 2024, 2934 connections have been checked and action taken in 1870 cases involving total theft of 2902 kilowatt of power theft.
Apart from the vigilance cell, effective steps are being taken by the Chief Engineers and Superintending Engineers posted in the regional offices to prevent power theft and FIRs are also being registered against the defaulters. To report power theft, consumers can contact through various means such as calling on 1912, where the identity of the informers is kept confidential.
