KPDCL Targets Criminal-Charges for Power-Theft by Consumers

KPDCL Targets Criminal-Charges for Power-Theft by Consumers

Asif Iqbal | December 2, 2023 | 08:49 PM IST | Kashmir | Follow on Google News

KPDCL Targets Criminal-Charges for Power-Theft by Consumers

KPDCL Targets Criminal-Charges for Power-Theft by Consumers

In a determined effort to combat widespread electricity theft and address outstanding bill payments from defaulting consumers, the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) carried out an impressive total of 10,465 inspections and disconnected over 11,000 consumers in the final ten days of November 2023.During this period, the KPDCL achieved a revenue of Rs 85.24 crore, inclusive of power receipts.

Notably, the highest remittances of Rs 16.42 crore were recorded on November 28 alone. A spokesperson for KPDCL revealed that rampant illegal connections were detected, with consumers engaging in power theft through unauthorized hooking of lines on bare conductors in metered areas. Additionally, flat-rated consumers were found to be exceeding their agreed load, contributing to the widespread problem across the Kashmir Division.

The spokesperson shared that during the intensive inspection campaign, penalties amounting to Rs 1.03 crore were imposed on consumers involved in power theft across all six O&M Circles in the last ten days of November. As part of the effort, 995 connections were regularized, and an additional 2120 KW load was added.The O&M Circle Ganderbal conducted the highest number of inspections, totaling 2,945, followed by Circle Sopore with 2,048, Circle II Srinagar with 1,950, Pulwama with 1,528, Bijbehara with 1,004, and Circle I Srinagar with 990.

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Commending the KPDCL patrolling teams for their dedication in sub-zero temperatures to uncover power pilferage, the spokesperson disclosed that 11,238 consumers were disconnected in the last ten days of November, as they had pending energy dues exceeding three months.

This included 7,828 domestic consumers, 2,979 commercial consumers, and 346 industrial consumers.Assuring consumers of strict adherence to the power curtailment schedule, following the additional power allocation to the UT of Jammu & Kashmir by the Central Government, the spokesperson emphasized the importance of judicious power use. Furthermore, consumers were warned against hooking, meter bypassing, and overload exceeding, with the KPDCL stating its intention to file criminal charges under relevant provisions of the Electricity Act for non-compliance.

The spokesperson also conveyed a warning to commercial consumers, including hotels, malls, and business outlets, involved in meter tampering, having been caught by the Central Inspection Squad of KPDCL. He stated that penalties for power theft, confirmed by the First Appellate Authority under Sections 126 & 127 of the Electricity Act, must be deposited, or legal proceedings would be initiated.

Highlighting positive outcomes from the intensified inspection and disconnection efforts, the spokesperson affirmed that such drives would persist, aiming to prevent energy losses and improve revenue collection from defaulting consumers. He reassured consumers of the commitment to the power curtailment schedule, extending comfort to genuine consumers.

Expressing concern over the rate of damage to Domestic Transformers (DTs), the spokesperson urged consumers to prevent overloading, which causes hardships during peak winter times. He noted ongoing efforts to repair and replace damaged DTs, with teams working around the clock at various workshops to ensure timely replacements.

KPDCL Targets Criminal-Charges for Power-Theft by Consumers:In case of rectification of any error in article , Visit on Correction Policy & Register your Query:

Expressing concern over the rate of damage to Domestic Transformers (DTs), the spokesperson urged consumers to prevent overloading, which causes hardships during peak winter times. He noted ongoing efforts to repair and replace damaged DTs, with teams working around the clock at various workshops to ensure timely replacements.

Asif Iqbal

Asif Iqbal is a seasoned news writer with a passion for delivering the latest updates to the public. Currently serving as the senior writer at VoM News, a prominent news outlet known for its comprehensive coverage of diverse topics, Asif has established himself as a reliable source of information. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, he consistently provides readers with well-crafted articles that cover a wide range of news categories. His dedication to journalistic integrity and his commitment to staying ahead of the news curve make him an invaluable asset to Vom News, ensuring that readers are always well-informed on the issues that matter most. You can find his work and stay updated on current events by visiting vomnews.in.