In a resolute effort to combat the menace of electricity theft and unauthorized consumption, the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) conducted a targeted campaign in the Pune Regional Division, unveiling a staggering Rs 83 lakhs’ worth of illicit practices at 1251 locations within a single day.
This decisive crackdown brought to light 993 instances of electricity theft involving illegal hookups or meter tampering, alongside 258 cases of unauthorized electricity consumption.
Under the provisions of Section 135 of the Indian Electricity Act, MSEDCL is pursuing criminal action against those individuals engaged in electricity theft who neglect to settle fines and restitution amounts. The campaign, spearheaded by Regional Director Ankush Nale, was explicitly designed to address the adverse impact of power theft on distribution and commercial losses.
The extensive campaign spanned across Pune, Solapur, Satara, Sangli, and Kolhapur districts, with the active participation of senior officials collaborating with Regional Director Nale in this vital undertaking.
The campaign culminated with the detection of a total of 1251 instances of unauthorized electricity consumption, amounting to a staggering sum of Rs 82 lakhs and 42 thousand. This includes a district-wise breakdown, with Pune district contributing 578 cases amounting to 46.15 lakhs, Satara with 92 cases totaling 7.34 lakhs, Solapur comprising 274 cases equaling 13.38 lakhs, Kolhapur accounting for 98 cases summing up to 6.75 lakhs, and Sangli district revealing 209 cases valued at 8.80 lakhs.
