Chandigarh, 25 August
In a significant step towards curbing power theft in Punjab, the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) conducted a special checking drive across five zones of the state. The operation, led by Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO, resulted in the detection of 2,075 cases of power theft and the imposition of a hefty Rs. 4.64 crore penalty.
The minister emphasized the state government’s zero-tolerance policy against power theft and highlighted the joint efforts of the PSPCL’s Distribution and Enforcement wings in conducting the drive. A total of 28,487 power connections were inspected across Amritsar, Bathinda, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, and Patiala zones.
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Providing zone-wise details, the minister revealed that Amritsar witnessed the highest number of cases with 438, followed by Bathinda with 527. Ludhiana, Jalandhar, and Patiala reported 323, 340, and 447 cases, respectively.
Apart from imposing penalties, the PSPCL has registered FIRs and initiated legal proceedings against the offenders. The minister expressed hope that these stringent measures would significantly reduce the prevalence of power theft in the state.
He urged consumers to refrain from indulging in such illegal practices and cooperate with the power department in combating the menace. The minister also appealed to the public to adopt energy-saving habits to ensure a stable power supply and reduce the state’s carbon footprint.
The PSPCL has announced plans to continue conducting similar drives in the future and encouraged citizens to report any instances of power theft in their areas. The minister commended the PSPCL officials for their successful efforts in curbing the issue.
