A pilfer-friendly State

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, JUNE 18. Andhra Pradesh seems to be so `pilfer- friendly' that neighbours just cannot resist the temptation.

The Chittoor Collector, Mr. P. Krishnaiah, discovered this to his horror the other day when he visited a few households on the other side of the State border with Tamil Nadu. He found several permanent houses tapping energy directly from powerlines overhead.

Closer inspection showed they `hooked' on to lines on the A.P. side. Why? `Sir, authorities here are very strict. We will end up in jail. That is why we are tapping your lines', they confessed.

Relating his experience to the Chief Minister, Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu, at a video-conference on Saturday, the Collector suggested stringent norms to instill fear of punishment.

Mr. Naidu in turn related the incident to the broad-based meeting of the Telugu Desam on Sunday. He made it clear he was going to be tough with people indulging in energy theft from July 1.

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Section  : Southern States
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