Over 8,000 charged for power theft, Rs 6.39 crore recovered

Chandigarh, July 9: Intensifying its campaign to curb the power theft, Haryana electricity department has imposed fine of Rs 13.14 crore on 8,954 erring consumers.

Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN), a distribution unit, imposed penalty of Rs 13.14 crore on the erring consumers and recovered Rs 6.39 crore from them between April to June, a spokesman said here.

Complaints have been filed in as many as 1,809 cases, with the police, he said, adding that, three first information reports were also registered.

He further stated that in most of the cases, the erring consumers were found stealing power through direct connections, meter bye pass, tampering the meter or by managing fake meter seals. The electricity meters of 8,198 consumers were found defective during the checking and have been replaced.

The spokesman also said that the Whole Time Directors have observed that the cases of pilferage of electricity may be minimised by regularization of kundi connections. It has been decided to arrange special camps in villages to release on the spot connections to domestic category consumers, he added.

PTI