The power crisis has been one of the major issues in Punjab for the last few days. Amidst this, the PSPCL has reportedly collected₹694 lakh fine from the violators across the state in just 43 days. According to officials, the teams have checked 54,212 connections and detected a total of 5,228 violations. These include 1,285 cases of power thefts and 3,943 cases of unauthorised use of electricity/unauthorised extension. The teams of the distribution wing have been conducting systematic checking in their areas to curb power thefts.
As per the info, under the zero-tolerance drive started by PSPCL following the directions of Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and Punjab power minister Harbhajan Singh ETO, the checking was conducted from April 4 to May 16. The team of zone border has checked a total of 20,919 connections in this period and unearthed 439 cases of theft, against which a penalty of ₹79 lakh was imposed, and 1,059 cases of unauthorised use or extension for which ₹47 lakh was collected. Similarly, in the central zone as many as 7,130 connections were checked and a total of 687 cases, including 171 cases of theft and 516 unauthorised use or extension cases, were detected and total fine charged was ₹91 lakh.
Meanwhile, the teams of the north zone checked 9,992 connections and detected 72 cases of thefts and 883 unauthorised use or extension cases. The total fine charged in 955 cases was ₹56 lakh. Whereas in the South zone, the teams checked 6,028 connections, out of which 146 cases of thefts and 517 cases of unauthorised use or extension were detected following which fine to the tune of ₹111 lakh was charged. A total of 1,425 cases, including 457 cases of theft and 968 unauthorised use or extension cases, were detected in the West zone where as many as 10,143 connections were checked.
Shockingly, the PSPCL has even caught even several police stations where the power was being stealed. Recently, the Punjab Police had been caught stealing power in at least five police stations and offices in Ludhiana district. The theft was detected through direct kundi (illegal) connections and partially through electricity meters installed at police stations concerned and offices.
As per the report of The Tribune, the senior officials of power corporation said, “Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), which claimed catching the police stealing power, has slapped a fine of Rs 18 lakh on defaulters. The power utility has also asked the police to pay penalty else face disconnection and strict action as per law.”
Power Minister Harbhajan Singh had already said that the Punjab govt has adopted a zero tolerance for power theft, whether by government or private consumers. Strict action will be initiated against all such violators.
