DHBVN amends norms about power theft cases

Chandigarh, July 5 (UNI) The Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) has amended its norms for dealing with the cases of theft of electricity in view of the amendment of the Electricity Act-2003.

A DHBVN spokesman today said as per the amended instructions to deal with the cases of theft of electricity, the connection of the erring consumer would immediately be disconnected on detection of theft.

The officer of the Nigam would lodge a complaint in writing relating to commission of such offence in police station within 24 hours from the time of disconnection.

He said in order to initiate action against the persons involving in theft of electricity, the provisions of the Indian Electricity Act had been amended and the offence had been made cognisable and non-bailable.

The supply would be restored within 48 hours of depositing the assessed amount of electricity charges.

In the event of second and subsequent conviction of a person where the load abstracted, consumed, or used exceeded 10 kilowatt, he would be debarred from getting any supply of electricity for a period from three months to two years, the spokesman added.

The police, he said, would now have all the powers to investigate the offences under the Act and the Courts had also been authorised to take cognisance of the offence on the reports of police officer under the provisions of Criminal Procedure Code 1973.

The special courts established under the Electricity Act 2003 were also be competent to take cognisance of an offence without any trial, he added.

UNI