Date:30/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/30/stories/2008123053320400.htm

New Delhi

Power theft unearthed; 42-lakh penalties levied

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: Power distribution company BSES has unearthed power theft of around 200 kW in mass raids carried out in the Capital’s Darya Ganj and Bara Hindu Rao areas. A total of over Rs.42 lakh in penalties have been levied against the accused. According to a BSES spokesperson, besides domestic use, the stolen electricity was also being used for industrial and commercial purposes.

“The BSES raiding teams accompanied by Delhi Police and Central Industrial Security Force personnel booked cases against 25 people under the provisions of the Indian Electricity Act, 2003,” said the spokesperson.

In Darya Ganj’s Rang Mahal area, mass raids were carried out and 135 kW of power theft was unearthed. “Cases against 14 people have been registered and Rs.27 lakh charged as penalties,” the spokesperson said. In the Bara Hindu Rao area, power theft of 77 kW in the industrial and commercial areas came to light and a cumulative penalty of about Rs.15 lakh was levied against nine persons. “BSES has intensified its drive against those stealing power. In 2008, BRPL and BYPL unearthed power theft of a whopping 2.5 lakh kW and booked nearly 31,000 cases of theft. Also, 345 power theft accused have been sent to jail in 2008 ,” the spokesperson said.