PUNE: The MSEDCL is implementing a special campaign against those who steal electricity by putting a hook on the electricity cables or tampering with the meter. The MSEDCL has given a shock to 1,707 illegal power users and 1,390 incidents of power theft have been exposed.
During a day-long operation carried out in Pune, Solapur, Satara, Kolhapur and Sangli districts, theft of 13 lakh 49 thousand units i.e. worth ₹2.19 crore was exposed by MSEDCL. The power utility is taking criminal action against these power stealers. If the power theft is proved, there is a provision of a prison term. Hence, those stealing electricity are scared. MSEDCL has appealed to people to take connections in an authorised manner.
MSEDCL regularly carries out action to plug leakages in power distribution and reduce loss of income. Pune Regional Director Ankush Nale has issued instructions that a special drive should be undertaken against electricity theft on one day in a month. Criminal action is being taken against customers who are joining the power cable on their own when the supply has been cut or use hooks to illegally draw power. After power theft comes to light, customers are fined and the bill amount is recovered from them. Otherwise, criminal action is taken against them under section 135 of the Electricity Act. During this drive, 19,900 power connections in domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural categories were checked, said officials of Pune Regional Division of MSEDCL.
District Theft cases Amount of power theft
Pune 838 ₹1.28 crore
Satara 166 ₹14.76 lakh
Solapur 319 ₹25.49,000
Kolhapur 154 ₹28.79 lakh
Sangli 230 ₹22.16 lakh
Total 1,707 ₹2.19 crore
